|
|
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:
- "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: INFORMATION DESK <txlinc3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: applicationdesk_cl@qq.com
Date: Mon, 22 May 2017 22:20:49 +0100
Subject: NOT JUNK IN CASE IS IN SPAM(APPLY FOR TRANSFER OF YOUR FUNDS)
*Dear Client,*
*We have been instructed two days ago by World bank, reserved bank Germany
and world bank respectively to pay you a total of $12.5 million deposited
with us from Nigeria federal reserve account in assets and
shares/securities. The total of $12.5 million deposited will be paid to you
in accordance with world bank's directives.*
*The reason for this arrangement is as a result of shortfall in our foreign
exchange earning that has affected our external foreign reserve negatively
hence the need to pay debts from foreign reserve as mandated by IMF and
world bank. This system of applying for purchase of shares and securities
from financial firms are the best options of securing release and payments
of trapped or delayed claims.*
*Kindly as a matter of urgency send us the following ;*
*1. Your full names, address and direct phone*
*2. Any of your identification such as copies of your Int'l passport,
drivers license or national Id card*
*3.Your nominated bank data to remit same account.*
*4. Occupation and position*
*These details are needed for submission to the finance and Security firm
to transfer the worth of your fund in shares / stocks to you for
liquidation and transfer to your bank account.*
*I will give you further details upon receipt of your response to this
mail.*
*Awaiting for your compliance.*
*Your Sincerely,*
*Dr.(Mrs.) Celine A. Davidson(online/telephone banking manager)*
|
Anti-fraud resources:
