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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Imf International Head Department Unit" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <transferunitimf@gmail.con>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:15:26 -0400
Subject: RE: Attention Beneficiary, About Your Funds Transfer
Attention Beneficiary
This is to formally inform you that your file on your fund transfer has reached Mrs.Christine Lagarde Managing Director of the IMF(The International Monetary Fund).
We are also aware that your transaction has been dormant for a while now, and we will like to know why.
It will be in your own interest to get back to the department director Mr.Jerry Larson who is in charge of the tranfer unit of IMF,get back to him as soon as possible, failure to do so we shall confiscate your funds to charity.
Fill Out the information to him if you are ready to get your FUNDS
Your Full Name:...............
Direct Phone:....................
Country.................
Occupation:.....................
Gender:.........
Age:..............
Bank details...............
And take note anyother eamil you receive form anybody talking about your fund should be sent to this office,cause th FBI and EFCC are after them so be smart.
We await your reply.
Have a good day.
Department Director
Mr.Jerry Larson.
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Anti-fraud resources: