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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:
- "million 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)
- "you are advise to" (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: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT <silvesteruk3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: generalmuhamadubuhari7@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 8 May 2020 03:07:25 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY
code.(life)
We are writing to know if you have instructed Mr Paul Goodwin of 122
Fitch Way, Sacramento, CA.USA 95864 filling application contrary to
your pending fund sum of $10.6 Million Dollars Please get back to us
for more further advice if you have instructed him to claim your fund
as your next of kin.Mr Paul further Stated that your account be
terminated while the Fund should be transferred to his Bank account
with Bank of America,Account Number # 910085730457 Routing Number#
126050317.Our office have ask Mr. Paul T. Godwin to return Back to our
office to enable us have a personal confirmation from you being hither
to the beneficiary.Please you are advise to provide the below
information's to enable us direct you to our paying bank for the
(1) Your Full Name
(2) House mailing address
(3) Your sex, age and marital status
(4) Phone number for conversation
(5) Your current occupation
{6} Your Country.
(7) Email address
I look forward to receive your urgent response.
Regards
INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT UNITED STATE
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Anti-fraud resources: