|
|
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:
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Kay Trippett" <ccare@maxsmtp.org>
Reply-To: jm@eu-cs.com
Date: Sun, 02 Sep 2018 15:42:33 -0700
Subject: Donation Funds
Dear Beneficiary,
We have been awaiting your establishing contact with us as regards transfer of your funds amounting €1,150,000. 00 USD (One Million One Hundred and fifty Thousand Euros) from the European Foundation Center.
A foundation working in Conjunction With The Economic Community For African Union, United Nations and The European Union. we have deposited with our affiliated bank.
All you need to do right now to proceed is reconfirm your contact co-ordinates to the below legal adviser: Full Names, complete address and most important your direct phone numbers.
Dr. Jean Morgan
E-mail: jm@eu-cs.com
Donations&Legal Service Department
Regards
Kay Trippett.
Secretary.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
