|
|
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:
- "keep this confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: btony9224@gmail.com
Reply-To: timothyogun@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 02:39:11 -0500
Subject: I am willing to assist you receive your over due payment/////
Attention: Beneficiary,
>From my records your fund has been long over due for payment, however I am willing to assist you receive your payment on the condition that you will keep this confidential due to the sensitivity of the subject, secondly you will reward me at the end of it all. If you adhere strictly to my advice and instruction you are going to receive your payment within 7 working days.
Note with my assistance you are not going to pay any fee to any government Parastatal or agency prior the transfer of your fund. Write back if this meets you satisfied so that I can guide you in details.
Best regards,
Ben Tony
Head Foreign Payment (CBN)
My Direct phone: +2348121096361.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
