|
|
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:
- "lagos" (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.
- 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: "Mr. JOHN ABOH." <mrjoeadams_01@yahoo.ca>
Reply-To: intfundoff2002@live.com
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:29:54 -0800
Subject: ABOUT YOUR FUND PAYMENT
Attention, :
I write to notify you that we have concluded arrangement with the Director of west Africa Foreign Assistance to use her immunity to deliver the ATM CARD (what of $7.3 million used) in your favor to you without any stoppage by customs, Efcc / FBI and Homeland Securities of the W.A.C.E STATE. ALWAYS
security services will use her Immunity to delivery the Package directly to your home door step.
However,you are to obtain the Accreditation Seal as the true beneficiary and the cost of the seal is $135 .The fee ($135 ) should be send with immediate effect hence all necessary arrangements has been perfected for smooth delivery.You should send the fee directly to the cargo registration officer MR / DIRECTOR GODWIN NWAKA with the info below
Name ------------- JAMES CHIKA DIKE
Address -------- Lagos Nigeria
Text question ----- Good
Text answer ------- WILL
Forward the payment information and your delivery address.The parcel containing the ATM CARD what of $7.3 million used will
be in your receiving address within three working days from the day of
dispatch.
Yours in service
Mr. JOHN ABOH.
TEL :+234-9022164980
(Presidential Adviser on Foreign Payment)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
