|
|
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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "economic and financial crimes commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "(efcc)" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Andy Christopher <saudewm@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Andy Christopher <efccservice@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2015 17:37:00 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Your awareness Is Needed!
 Your awareness Is Needed!
Do you have any unfinished transaction in Africa? The new development needs your awareness. we discovered that your funds transaction has not completed due to one problem to another and has delayed your funds transaction unnecessarily contrary to earlier instructions.
I also want to let you know that I have used my office as supervising director of (EFCC) to smooth progress of the official agreement to pay you sum of $1,500,000 Million USD in cash which we have already loaded in ATM master cards usually allow for instant withdrawal of cash.
So you are advice to provide the information below to enable Bank activate your ATM master cards for immediate delivery.
1)YOUR FULL NAME.
2)YOUR FULL ADDRESS/ COUNTRY.
3)YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER.
I have a very limited time here in Africa, so i would like you to urgently send the above required informations to enable me wrap the transfer up before leaving. We guarantee you 100% safety and wish you the best of luck.
Best Regards,
Mr.Andy Christopher
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
|
Anti-fraud resources:
