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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024055662 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- north_ry@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Henry Bevan" <info@loan.com>
Reply-To: north_ry@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:46:08 +0800
Subject:
Dear Sir/Madam
Are you searching for a very Genuine loan at an affordable interest
rate of 5%?
Processed within 48 Hours. Have you been turned down constantly by your Banks
and other financial institutions? The good news is here !!!
I am Mr. Henry Bevan the Processing Manager of Union Homes Financial Loan
Company. A company right here in United Kingdom.We Offer
Private,Commercial and
Personal Loans with very Minimal annual Interest Rates as Low as 5% within 1
year to 40 years repayment duration period to any part of the world. We give
out loans within the range of $5,000 to $10,000,000.00 USD. Our loans are well
insured for maximum security is our priority.
Please if you are delighted and interested in our financial offer,Do not
hesitate to contact us with the following information if in need of
our service.
Mr. Henry Bevan
TEL: +44-702-405-5662
Email: north_ry@yahoo.co.jp
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