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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "CITI BANK INTERNATIONAL BANK"<accountdept_citionlinebank@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:15:22 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION;
I have made series of efforts to reach you concerning your funds which was discovered in a dormant account with our bank (CITI BANK PLC.). I discovered that your fund is currently floating in an account here in our bank (my branch) and the money could not be transferred because of lack of proof for the source of the funds and your inability to complete the Cost of Transfer (C.O.T).
I had to trace the documents to find out that the fund originally belongs to you and I decided to contact you so that you can have a smooth transfer. I will appreciate if you get back to me with your details, while i will work with you concerning this issue.The account where the fund is deposited is currently dormant and if you accept the agreement of offering me 5% of the funds then we can work and I will guard you on the step on how you can get the funds release and you will transfer the funds from your sitting room or anywhere via our online telephone and internet banking system, which will be given to you, because that is a more secured way of doing bank transfers currently.I will be waiting for your positive respond, and promising you that the funds will be accessible under 4days.
Thanks Yours faithfully
Mr. David Spencer
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