|
|
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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Michael Wilson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michaelwilson@accountant.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 13:24:47 -0800
Subject: Treasury Dept / Hallifax Bank
My Dear,
We were directed by Jacob J. Lew, Secretary U.S. Department of the Treasury to communicate you of the recently concluded meeting with the World Bank and the United Nations, an agreement was reached between both parties and funds was allocated to settle compensate some individuals who has been victims of scam which your name wasa among listed.
They also instructed that all beneficiaries that this payment favored will make a counterpart deposit for the assessment of their payment.
Fortunately, your name was selected alongside a few other beneficiaries who are to receive compensation payment of $1.500,000 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only).
Our Bank The Hallifax Bank has been directed to process the transmission of the payment to your designated Bank account.
You are hereby advised to revert back to me with the below requirement along with your Banking details as to enable Hallifax Bank commence payment process;
(1) Full Names:
(2) Residential Address:
(3) Country of Residence:
(4) Age:
(5) Phone/Cell Number:
(6) Occupation:
The above stated information should be forwarded to the Credit Department of the Bank via this email address: creditdesk@hallifax.net
Yours faithfully,
MICHEAL WILSON.
DIRECTOR OF CREDIT.
HALLIFAX BANK U.S.A.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
