|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "00,000.00" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- unitek2990@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Steven Clifford <stclifford10@libero.it>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 14:13:26 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT
YOUR PAYMENT FOR US$1,800,000.00
This is to notify you that your funds have been revisited and a part approval
of above sum for payment to you in this third quarter of the year 2014, this
decision to make payments in this category was taken after a review of all
unpaid contracts, inheritance and lottery funds which were not completed due
to
various reasons.
To make your claims, you are required to send your full details viz:
Name....................................
Age.......................................
Address.................................
Telephone/Fax number............
Send the above details to unitek2990@gmail.com so that we can proceed with
processing of this funds in your favour.
Regards
Steven Clifford
|
Anti-fraud resources:
