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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "million pounds" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- +447042038515 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- robertjames427@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Robert James <rbjames1945@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Robert James <robertjames427@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2015 20:37:48 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: CAN YOU WORK WITH ME?
Attn:Sir.
How are you today? Hope that you are doing very fine.
I know that this message will come as a surprise one to you but will
like to have your consent.
I write to inform you that United Nations Office here in United Kingdom have
secured £400,000.000 for the compensation and settlement of
foreign contractors and victims of scam who has proof that they have
lost money either through bank guarantee, LC or cash in linewith the world bank directives.
Sequel to that resolutions the UK GOVERNMENT and THE UNITED NATIONS
have resolved to pay back foreign contractors and victims who have
proof that they have lost money either through bank guarantee, LC or
cash the sum of £1,000.000 (One Million Pounds only). On that note
I seek your consent and collaboration so that I will put your name as
one of the victims that will be entitle and legible for this refund for our mutual benefits.
If you are interested in actualizing this deal with me respond back
urgently with your below details to enable me put your name among
those that will receive there refund this first quarter of the year 2015.
1 Your full names/ address.
2 Your phone number.
3 Your age/sex and occupation.
Please note that the process of filing for this refund is risk free
and has nothing to do with illegality. Bear in mind that our working
ratio shall be 50% each as soon as we get the refund in your name.
N/B; If you are interested to work with in actualizing this
confidential deal respond to private email address below only.
Thanks and congratulations.
Regards,
Robert James.
Remittance officer,
Alliance & Leicester Bank.
London.
+44-704-203-8515.
Official Email: alliance-leicester-bank@adm-alb.org
Private Email:robertjames427@gmail.com
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