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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Ray Moody." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <raymoody626@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2018 14:54:59 -0400
Subject: Your payment Conclusion !
Dear Sir/Ma,
It has been resolved with immediate approvals to clear every over due contract/inheritance payment to their due-full owners without any further delay.Therefore you are urgently advice to respond fast with your full contact details such as related documents,your private phone,fax,other e-mails and your account details were you want this money to be remitted to you.
Please urgently confirm that you sign a deed of agreement in the favor of (Mrs Bishop Huge) to receive your fund in Bangkok Thailand, Re-confirm to us immediately on how you want to receive your approved payment. In respect of your reply,I shall give you full details of your payment release schedule. Please kindly furnish us with this required information's to enable us contact you directly.
You are to contact the Account officer here as your payment has been specially prepared to enable you withdraw in your bank or through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER better still it can also be transferred direct to your personal bank account by Bank to Bank transfer direct to your nominated bank account.
Action will be commenced once you come up with required details or your guide lines.
Waiting your urgent reply fast..
Mr. Ray Moody.
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