|
|
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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "General ALIYU MOHAMMED" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <aliuy_m@yahoo.co.nz>
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 02:17:35 +0200
Subject: RE: PLEASE CLARIFY
I am Lt. Gen ALIYU MOHAMMED, National Adviser to President Mr. Good luck Jonathan The new president Federal Republic of Nigeria. I decided to contact you because of the Prevailing security report reaching my office and the intense nature of polity in Nigeria . This is to inform you
about our plan to send your fund to you via cash delivery. This system will be easier for you and for us. We are going to send your contract/ part payment of $20Million USD to you via courier service. PLEASE VIEW ATTACHMENT FOR DETAILS
|
Anti-fraud resources:
