|
|
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 us 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- fundsettlements01@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "HEDGE FUND MANAGER" <info@xc.com>
Reply-To: fundsettlements01@aol.com
Date: 11 Nov 2019 10:19:54 +0300
Subject: Re: $12 MILLION US DOLLARS AWAITING TRANSFER. SEE EMAIL FOR DETAILS
>From Rick Thomas
Reply-to: fundsettlements01@aol.com
Subject: From Rick Thomas (Hedge Fund Manager)
Hi,
I’m Rick Thomas. I’m a hedge fund manager. I have over-invoiced in my file the amount of $12 million US Dollars. I want to partner with you to move this fund to any account you will provide then I will meet with you after the fund is transferred so we can invest in your country.
In order to proceed I want you to send to me the following;
YOUR NAME_________
AGE________
COUNTRY_________
NOTE: There will be no phone call for security reasons as my phone conversations may be monitored.
IMPORTANT: Bear in mind that you will pay $5,000 USD to the bank account officer where fund is deposited so he can sign out the release of this fund without delay because. He demanded for this amount because he knows my plan. Only if you AGREE to this term that you should contact.
Get back to me quickly for this great opportunity of a lifetime.
Yours Faithfully,
Rick Thomas
Hedge Fund Manager
Email: fundsettlements01@aol.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
