|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Desmond Arnold" <des.ar90@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: aronld0375@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:17:29 -0000
Subject: Important information for you
Compliments of the season.
My name is Desmond Arnold. I'm the Database Analyst/Foreign Payment
Investigation Director. CBN. I'm writing to let you know the reason(s) why
you were unable to receive your long-term approved payment as promised you
by the bank even after paying all the fees charged you. Your friends who
promised to do everything in your favor and help you receive the payment
here were only busy trying to use your name and divert your payment from
its original bank to my bank in an attempt to claim it against you. That
was the reason despite all the efforts you made to receive the payment
nothing was transferred into your account as previously agreed upon.
Today I came to you with a good news. I want to tell you that my office
has blocked all the ugly plans your friends has made against you and your
payment by securing your funds in your name. Even as I write you now, I
have your payment file with me and I promise to use my good office and
transfer the funds to you through any means you deem necessary once I hear
from you.
At the moment, I want to advice you to stop any further communication with
anyone whosoever including those who claimed to be helping you to receive
your payment.
The people you are presently dealing with are not in any way or manner
protecting your interest. Instead all they are doing is to use your name
and claim your funds against you.
Contact me so that I can use my position in my good office and ensure that
your payment is sent to you and on time too.
Regards,
Mr. Desmond Arnold
|
Anti-fraud resources:
