|
|
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:
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Jeff G. Smith" <onyi3528@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jeff.g.smith11@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:48:04 -0800
Subject: FROM CIA WHITE HOUSE
Dear beneficiary, I am Jeff G. Smith from CIA White house and I am
here to inform you that after our last meeting consigning the scammed
victim we have mandated to compensate you with sum of 1.7 million US
Dollar so you are urged to reconfirm your full information to avoid
wrong transfer/delivery of your compensation fund
However, reconfirmed your full information so we would crosscheck with
detailed document.
Your full name.......
Your country..........
Your city.................
Your home address....
Your current number....
Your nearest airport......
Your Occupation.........
Your copy of ID
You are urged to reconfirmed your full details for the crosscheck with
the document details we have with us to avoid wrong
NOTE: failure to get back to this office within 72hrs (3)days, your
compensation fund will be returned to the US White House of the States
account.
Await your urgent response.
Thanks
Jeff
|
Anti-fraud resources:
