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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "tax clearance" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rather James" <fundagent@globomail.com>
Reply-To: marktdeskworld11@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Tue, 27 May 2014 20:17:57 -0400
Subject: GOOD NEWS REGARDING YOUR TRANSFER.
Attn: Foreign Beneficiary,
We bring to your notice this morning that your fund delay issues was finally resolved with The help of Federal Government of Nigeria and the united state Government it was agreed thatYour fund should be paid to you with immediate effect and every charge should be cancelled.
It was agreed that once you confirm your TAX clearance code to us with your information There should be no upfront payment as this is the only thing required for the immediate Remittance of your fund. with the help of FBI in Agreement with the EFCC this was made possible today with FBI director .James B. Comey.
please be informed that if you do not have this Code this may be the only thing delaying your payment here because the Federal inland revenue made it clear that once you have your Tax clearance code that your fund will be effected in your account without any further delay but if you do not provide it, that will only cost you $350 USD and it will be released to you At once and your payment will be effected in your account.
We urge you to reconfirm this Information so as to enable us proceeds with your payment at once.
1. Your full name:
2. Address:
3. Phone and fax number:
4. Your age and current occupation:
5. Working id/int"l:
6. Tax Clearance Code:
Get back to us now for immediate releasing of your fund.
Mr. Rather James,
Transfer Investigation Department
International remittance department.
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