|
|
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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Alexa Williams <alexawilliams656@gmail.com>
Reply-To: vaughnfbishop@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2021 19:22:47 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY
--
Attention !!!!!
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (C.I.A) Washington DC USA......
Your Consignment Box Of $10.5 Million USD Which Was Retrieved From A
Fraudster Named John Zack Who Claims To Be A DHL Agent Was Caught
Trying To Escaspe With Your Property Through JFK Airport New York
Which He Stole From The DHL Quaters At New York When He Disguised
Himself As A Real DHL Agent But The Good News Is He Has Been Caught
And Arrested By The CIA And The United States Government As
Specifically Assigned The Central Intelligence Agency To Deliver Your
Property Which Has Been Here In The CIA Custody For The Past 3 Months
Because It Has To Be Delayed On Investigation
Now We Announce To You That All The Neccessary Investigation Has Ended
And Your Consignment Is Now Ready For Delivery
You Are Advised To Reply With The Information Below And Other Details
On What To Do To Get Your Property Delivered Immediately
FULL NAME....................
HOME ADDRESS.............
OCCUPATION..................
ID CARD..........................
NEAREST AIRPORT.......
REPLY IMMEDIATELY YOU GET THIS TEXT
CENTRAL INTTELLIGENCE AGENCY , WASHINGTON DC
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
|
Anti-fraud resources:
