|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
- msftcontact1@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Zak, Robin" <rzak@pemb.org>
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:17:48 -0500
Subject: Online Winning Notification
Online Winning Notification
CUSTOMER SERVICE
CALLE LAS ROZAS
MADRID SPAIN/ESPANA
Reference No: EU/54797/MI
Batch No: EU/G001/MI
Qualification No: EU/6747/MI
OFFICIAL WINNING NOTIFICATION.
Welcome to Euro Millions Jackport we are pleased to inform you of the
released results of the Sweepstakes Promotion program organized by Euro
Millions in conjunction with the foundation for the Promotion of
software products, Jan 25th 2011, in Spain-Madrid.
Your email address emerged as one of the on-line Winning emails, and
therefore You have been approved for a cash award 500,000.00(FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND EUROS) this is from a total cash prize of FIVE MILLION EUROS
Shared among the ten International winners.
To begin your claim contact our Accredited agent.
Mr. Alex Pedro.
Email: msftcontact1@aol.com
This Lottery is approved by the Spanish Gaming Board and also licensed by
the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) All winnings
must be claimed not later than seven working day there after all
unclaimed funds would be included in the next stake.
Congratulations!!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Cecelia Alfonso
Euro Million Lottery Coordinator.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
