|
|
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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss Donna Gwen <www.@dream.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Miss Donna Gwen <fbiagent210@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2018 20:02:47 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Good morning Dear Sir/Madam listen to this Good news from (DHS)
Office.
Mr. Richard from DHS i am here to inform you that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have process your file of unpaid funds $20million united state dollars which is onhold by IMF OFFICE since last October 17th 2017 , $10.5million united state dollars has been release out of on-hold $20million united state dollars FBI Director Mr. Christopher A Wary in conjunction with (DHS ) to release $10.5million united state dollars for your New Year expenditure.
contact Mr. Christopher (347) 507-3380 , with your full details information .
full name....
current address.....
age......
first car......
phone.....
copy of I,D .....
Note that INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) OFFICE will final release clearance certificate to your name (FBI) will sign the clearance certificate , Christopher A Wary will signed the certificate from IMF OFFICE.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
