|
|
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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "PIERE CASTEL"<sharjil.hassan@hbfcl.com>
Reply-To: piere.caste6969@zoho.com
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2017 17:18:33 -0800
Subject: ATTA
MY NAME IS PIERE CASTEL. RETIRED TWO WEEKS AGO FROM FRENCH REGIMENT AND MY =
LAST DAYS BEFORE I RETIRED WAS IN BASRA IN IRAQ.
I SAW YOUR CONTACT IN YOUR COUNTRY'S DIRECTORY.I DECIDED TO PICK THE COURA=
GE WITH FAITH
TO INTIMATE YOU ON THE FOLLOWING HOPING THAT YOU WILL CONCEALE THIS PROPOSA=
L AND BE OUR AID.
SO WE ARE ABLE TO INTERCEPT BUNDLE OF CURRENCY WORTH $27 MILLION DOLLARS B=
ELONGING TO THE SCATTED CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ I AND MY COLLEAGUE DECIDED TO =
SMUGGLED THE FUNDS IN A DIPLOMATIC BAGGAGE TO UK.
THE FUND IS REGISTERED IN A COMPANY FOR CASH LIQUIDATION AND DISBURSEMENT.=
THE COMPANY HAS TAKEN THEIR SHARE OF THE FUND AND GAVE US EURO BOND FOR OUR=
GENUINE AND RISK FREE CLEARANCE.
AS WE DO NOT INTEND TO KEEP THE MONEY IN UK FROM EURO CLARE BOND,WE ARE SOL=
ICITING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE TO GENUINELY TRANSFER THE FUNDS INTO YOUR ACCOU=
NT.ALL GENUINE CLEARANCES THROUGH EURO CLARE AND PROVE OF FUNDS WILL BE ISS=
UED TO YOU ON DEMAND FOR YOUR BANK TO BANK CONFIRMATION.
HOWEVER EXCHANGE CONTROL APPROVAL NOTICE HAD BEEN APPLIED FOR TO EURO CLAR=
E.
I HUMLE WAIT FOR YOUR RESPONCE TO ENABLE US TAKE FINAL STEPS.
=
REGARDS,
PIERE CASTEL
|
Anti-fraud resources: