|
|
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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- fundmonitors04@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Jacqueline Scott" <mrsjacquelinescott44@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fundmonitors04@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:53:31 +0100
Subject: VERY URGENT....
In regards to the recent meeting between the United Nations and the Present
United States Government to restore the dignity and Economy of the Nations.
Based on the Agreement with the World Bank Assistance to help and make the
world a better place for all with the sole aim of abolishing poverty.
This email is to all the people that Have Been scammed in any part of the
world, it was resolved after the Board meetings today by foreign Remittance
office to release all inheritance / Contract Fund on a special method of
payment International Bank Draft.
Your name and email was in the list submitted by our Monitoring Team
observers and this is why we are contacting you, this have been agreed upon
and signed. You are advised to contact Mr. Emeka Enuwa, he is our
representative in Nigeria, contact him immediately for your Cheque /
International Bank Draft of (USD3.5M) this fund are in a Bank Draft for
security purpose.
You are advice to contact this office with the information bellow:
Contact Name: Mr. Emeka Enuwa
Email: fundmonitors04@yahoo.co.jp
You are advice to stop every communication with whosoever you have been
dealing with as they will keep on asking you to send more money.
Yours Sincerely
Mrs. Jacqueline Scott
|
Anti-fraud resources:
