|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Reconsiliations" <slicks@look.ca>
Reply-To: funds.reconciliations@africamail.com
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2014 18:38:29 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Your Beneficary Funds Release
Attention:
Access Bank Ghana limited in conjunction with West African States has
formed a reconciliation committee for the release of pending
inheritance/contract transaction funds to foreign beneficiaries who has
lost colossal amount to corrupt government officials in which you a
beneficiary and as a result of the promise sworn to your government that
before the end of the first quarter of 2014 part payments will be made to
beneficiaries.
The bank has released your account information for your funds of three
million five hundred thousand United States Dollars and we will give you
the details upon your confirmation of your personality.
I wait for your urgent response.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Eric McDonnel
AU Reconciliation Committee &
Access Bank Ghana
|
Anti-fraud resources:
