|
|
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:
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Usman Hassan <agyirimensa@gmail.com>
Reply-To: uh7720491@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2023 10:43:40 -0700
Subject: RE:THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER.
Dear Beloved Friend,
RE:THE REASON WHY YOU HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED IN RECEIVING YOUR FUND.
After a much deliberation i now decided to write you.Are you still
willing to receive your funds. I will work it out within 7 working
days and your funds will be transferred to you. You worked with a
group of corrupt people that were busy taking money from you and they
could not do the right thing for you to receive your funds. Write back
to now let me direct you on a way forward.
Best regards,
Usman Hassan.
Head Of ECOWAS Payment Verification Panel.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
