|
|
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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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.
- jerrycollins511@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms. Inga Britta" <justinndubuisi01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jerrycollins511@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:51:17 +0100
Subject: Dear beneficiary
--
The Fund Beneficiary
This is to inform you that the IMF just discovered your unpaid
contract compensation on ward payment sum of US$12.5m owed to you in
Africa through IMF Central Data System and a part payment of
US$8.5Million has been approved to be paid to you through an Automated
Teller Machine (ATM) Card. I have registered the ATM CARD with DHL
COMPANY as directed and the delivery will take off as soon as you
contact the COMPANY. Based on the agreement with DHL Director, Mr.
Jerry Collins . The only thing it will cost you to receive your
Automated Teller Machine ( ATM CARD ) is the delivery fee of $150.
Delivery: 4days express dispatching of your parcel to your
doorstep,You are to reconfirm us this transfer information urgently:
(1)Full name
(2)Home address
(3)Cellphone number
(4)Occupation and age
So contact the company manager now and ask him how to make the
required payment ASAP. MOST IMPORTANTLY: re-confirm your current
delivery address and contact him at this email address:
jerrycollins511@gmail.com , The amount processed in the ATM Card is
US$8.5million and PIN code is {0608}
|
Anti-fraud resources:
