|
|
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:
- "money order " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rachael Olswen" <info@sender.com>
Reply-To: onvas.mysteryshopperweb@outlook.com
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2018 20:34:50 -0500
Subject: Job Offer
Onvas Mystery Shoppers is accepting applications for qualified individuals to become Secret Shoppers.Its 100% free to join.
Job Description:
- You will receive funding for the assignment.
- You will receive the Instruction for your assignment via email on the location and details of the assignment.
- You are to complete the assignment as fast and discreetly as possible.
- You will be asked to visit a business location to conduct business be it a restaurant, shopping mall, Banking Hall etc.
Payment Terms:
You will receive a flat sum of $550 per assignment. We pay for all expense needed for the assignment and any other expense incurred during the course of executing your assignment.
A cashier check or money order would be in a certain amount which you would be required to cash at your bank, deduct your salary($250), and have the rest used for the evaluation at the store that would be given to you to evaluate (A full description will be sent to you on your first assignment).
It's fun and rewarding.
Regards,
Rachael Olswen
Head of Recruitments
|
Anti-fraud resources:
