|
|
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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- alfredbakerisu@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Alfred Baker <acoimbraprivata@gmail.com>
Reply-To: alfredbakerisu@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2015 01:55:20 -0700
Subject: YOUR CONSIGNMENT IS ABOUT TO BE GIVEN OUT.
--
*Hello Friend, we wish to inform you that one Mr. Peter Jackson was in our
office few days ago trying to let us understand that you have authorized
him to receive your consignment on your behalf and also he has accepted to
complete the payment in other to have the consignment.*
*So therefore, we have notified him to return back to office within next
three working days in other to get confirmation from you before handing
over the consignment to him with all the original documents that was
attached to your consignment delivery.*
*Please kindly report to our office Immediately with your confirmation
notice that you authorized him for the claim and please note that you are
to send the your email urgently with your confirmation delivery address and
direct phone number in case you never authorized him for the claim and you
have to report back within next two working days before his next appearance
to our office for the release of the consignment to him.*
*Send me a response on alfredbakerisu@gmail.com <alfredbakerisu@gmail.com>*
*Thanks and best regards *
*Diplomat Alfred Baker*
|
Anti-fraud resources:
