|
|
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 state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: th ofc <thofc2@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <officepaymentfile38@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:30:50 +0000
Subject: Thanks for your response.
Good Day,
Thanks for your response.
I am Mr Ken Okoro,please confirm if you are still interested in the
Inheritance of five million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars.
We have initiated arrangements for the immediate release of the funds to
you by partnering with a financial institution .
The funds has been placed in a tamper proof account where no deductions or
withdrawals can not be made until its remitted to you.
The information you provided will be used to set up an account , a non
resident account will be set up in your name and the fund will be credited
in the account.The details of the account will be forwarded to you so you
can personally transfer the funds to any other account of your choice in
the world.
You have to provide a valid copy of your i
You have to provide a valid copy of your identification so that the
account will be set up.
Best Regards
Mr.Ken Okoro
|
Anti-fraud resources:
