|
|
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:
- "keep it 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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Frank Bishop" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:06:39 +0100
Subject: Re-process Your Payment
Dear Sir,
We have been asked to put in touch with you after your details were sent to us for verification of your outstanding payment that is in the database of the West Africa Financial Reconcilliation Commission.
Please let us know how much you are being owed and for how long. Once we get these details from you, we verify and our bankers will effect the payment to you immediately.
You have to open a fresh account and send to us where the money will be wired into through our Banker Royal Bank of Scotland or send your existing bank details and within seven days, the money is in the account.
This money will be useful to you this coming end of year activities as we will pay you before first week of Dec.
Please any information you sent to us will be used for the purpose it is required and we keep it confidential.
Waiting for your reply today.
Frank Bishop
Director of Finance
West Africa Financial Reconcilliation Commission.
Cotonou Benin Republic
|
Anti-fraud resources:
