|
|
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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Abdullah Selah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrabdullah@yandex.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2015 08:34:35 -0400
Subject: Re: Transfer of Funds to your account/Change Of Account Information
Dear Sir
Re: Transfer of Funds to your account/Change Of Account Information
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the last week fund payment memo passed by the Central Bank Governor Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Finance Minister over unpaid foreign contract and inheritance funds, your name has been listed among the 15 beneficiaries to receive their funds through Central Bank Plc wire transfer payment. Two days ego we received email from your partner Mr. Glen Logsdon an American with address No. 265 Hillside Ave Nutley NJ 07111, USA that you indeed authorized him to claim your fund. Please as a matter of urgency get back to me as soon as possible before things goes wrong. He is making the necessary arrangement to pay the transfer obligation to enable him claim your funds. Please your urgent confirmation is highly needed now before things get spoiled; please if you know that you never instructed him kindly get back to us now.
The reason for this email we the Central Bank Plc will not be held liable for any wrong transfer or mistake. Re-confirm that you are the one that authorized him, if you are not the one confirm your particulars as stated below immediately:
1. Your full name
2. Home address
3. House/Cell Telephone
4. Amount to receive
5. Bank account details
6. Your id or international passport
Regards,
Mr. Abdullah Selah
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
