|
|
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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ralston A. Wheatley" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ralstonw698@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2023 08:26:00 -0700
Subject: Read This.
Greetings
This notification memo has been sent to you three times without a response from you and this will be the last time and I do hope you receive it.
I am a consultant managing my clients funds and investment but unfortunately I lost him and his family in an auto crash..
The essence of this communication with you is that since I am the consultant, the bank requested I should Present a next of kin to claim his funds which I want to legally and legitimately appoint you as the next of kin. You must appreciate that I am constrained from providing you with more detailed information at this point. I am an American citizen and have a verifiable internationla passport and clearance from the FBI confirming this transaction free from scam or fraudulent.Upon your response, I will give you full detailed information on my deceased client and the process to inherit his wealth. Send your comments with your full names and your telephone number to enable us to discuss.
Yours faithfully,
Ralston. Wheatley.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
