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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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.
Fraud email example:
From: FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK <bankfcm@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK <firstctymonument_b@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 06:33:08 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary (Very Urgent)
FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC
273A Ajose Adeogun St
Lagos Nigeria
Attention: Beneficiary
============================== =
   First City Monument Bank Plc
   This is to notify you about the status of your fund presently in my desk.
   After due vetting and evaluation of your Inheritance file which The
   Ministry of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Forwarded us to see
   to your Immediate payment.
   From our findings you have been going through hard ways by paying a lot
   of charges to see to the release of your Fund ($45 000, 000, 00) which
   has been delayed. We advice that you stop further communication with any
   Correspondence from London. and Usa You don\'t have to pay much charges to
   receive your Inheritance fund anymore as you Have met up with the whole
   requirements, your representatives in London and Usa will tell you to still go
   ahead with them But on your own risk.
   The only thing required from you is to obtain Non-Resident Clearance
   Form/Receipt that is the only fee you will pay to receive your funds
   If you follow up our directives your fund will reflect in your account
   within five working Bank days from the day you obtain this form. Do not go
   through anybody again but through this Bank if you really want your fund
   .1. Full Names: ------------------------------ ---
   2. Residential Address: -----------------------
   3. Phone Number: ------------------------------ -
   4. Fax Number: ------------------------------ ---
   5. Occupation: ---------------------------- ---
   6. Sex: ------------------------------ ----------
   7. Age: ----------------------------- ----------
   8. Nationality: ------------------------------ --
   9. Country: ------------------------------ ------
   10. Payment Method: -------------------------
   Yours sincerely,
   Mr. Ladi Balogun
   Chief Executive Officer.
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