|
|
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:
- "million united states 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: South African Revenue Service <info@southsfricanrevenueservice.net.tf>
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:34:00 +0200
Subject: DEBT RECONCILIATION
Dear Contractor,
We have noticed that your company has not received the balance payment of
twenty five million United states dollars being the full payment of your
industrial supply to the ministry of work, South Africa.
This payment has been deposited in the national payment institution ( *Wizzit
Bank* ) and you are hereby advised to reconfirm the following details so we
can direct Wizzit bank to contact you for this payment.
1) Your full company name
*2*) full company bank account
*3*) Full postal details of your company
*4*) Year of establishment
*5*) CEO`s contact details ( Email, Telephone & Fax)
This debt reconciliation exercise is as a result of our audit review as
mandated by the world bank to offset all outstanding payments of foreign
contractor.
We apologize for this delay and any inconveniences this payment delay may
have caused your establishment and will subtract all accumulated interest
as a compensation for this delay.
Your fast response is advised to enable us enroll your payment list in this
first quarter reconciliation exercise
Management
(SARS) SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICES
|
Anti-fraud resources:
