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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million 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)
- "million 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.
- 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.
- canadiadelivery@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: <Bank.tsb@com>
Reply-To: <canadiadelivery@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2016 20:00:02 +0100
Subject: UNITED NATION
Attention .
United Nations victim compensation. With Due respect to the present
recession in the economy, we are glad to inform you that your United
Nations compensation payment verification is confirmed okay.
Consequently, it is our pleasure to informed you that your Five
Million Dollars as your Compensation has been approved and upgraded in
your favor. Please provide your full Name, Address, Direct telephone
Number and a copy of your id card or passport number to avoid delay on
your payment.
Affirmatively, within seven banking days you will receive total amount
of Five Million United States Dollars Cash through Bank access Ghana as
your compensation from United Nations. We have also concluded
arrangement through bank to bank transfer if you care .
Call me at +233238147527 or canadiadelivery@hotmail.com for more details.
Sincerely.
Handerson Kiko
PAY MASTER GENERAL
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Anti-fraud resources: