|
|
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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: MRS ANITA UDOH <"WWW."@eos.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: MRS ANITA UDOH <sisterudohanita@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2016 19:35:46 +0900 (JST)
Subject: FROM MRS ANITA UDOH
Good day I hope the messages meet you in good faith .
Actually my boss Mr. Richard Bians who is now in Taipei, Taiwan gave me an Atm Master Card worth about US$2.500.000.000 to make sure I send it across to you because he notified me that both of you were business partners and that he had confidence in you. I will like you to send to me immediately your direct telephone number and Fax Numbers respectively.
Meanwhile, I will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning being the 16th day of December , 2016 for proper arrangements with the Courier Service Company on how the Atm Master Card will be safely dispatched to you without delay. Do provide me with your current mailing address where the Atm Master Card can be delivered.
Your prompt compliance to this email will enable me to expedite action on
this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Anita Udoh.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
