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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "consignment " (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.
- mrmikepompeo11@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE USA <mrmikepompeo11@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2020 15:45:36 +0100
Subject: HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE USA
--
<pre>This is to notify you that your delivery address is well received
and
I'm very much happy that you have contacted the right person in charge
to
release your fund without any hitch.
Firstly your fund $7.5million from West Africa which was a compasention
payment has been approved by United Nations.
The said fund $7.5million is right here in our office and ready to be
deliver to you home today as soon as you follow our instructions.
Your required to resist any further communication with anybody
contacting
you regarding any fund to avoid being scam.
I'm advising you to forward any email or massage sent to you from any
individual or group of people or Bank saying that you have any fund,
please
feel free to forward such massage to me for proper verification okay.
Meanwhile we have calculated the delivery expenses of your consignment
box
to your home address and it will cost you only $150 which you will
receive
your consignment box with in 24- hours upon receive of the required fee.
As a Home Land Security Department I will use my position and power to
make
sure you confirm your fund in your home within 24-hours with out any
stoppage.
I will be looking forward to hear from you once you receive this text so
that we will finalize the delivery of your consignment box to your home
today.
Thank you for your maximum cooperation.
Regards
Mr. Mike Pompeo
Secretary of the U. S Department of Homeland Security Washington DC.
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE USA
Mr. Mike Pompeo
mrmikepompeo11@aol.com</pre>
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Anti-fraud resources: