|
|
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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC <office---55555555@att.net>
Reply-To: f_bk_ng@admin.in.th
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:20:51 -0800 (PST)
Subject: OVERDUE PAYMENT APPROVAL OF $9.5M
FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC
HEAD OFFICE SAMUEL ASABIA HOUSE
35 MARINA LAGOS NIGERIA
TEL: +234-7067478948. Attn: Beneficiary
We write to officially notify you that your over due payment of $9.5M USD have been approved in this bank of FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA, It is important that you acknowledge the receipt of this email with the following:
VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM.
1. Full names:
2. Residential address:
3. Phone number:
4. Fax number:
5. Occupation:
6. Sex:
7. Age:
8. Nationality:
9.Bank Name:
10.Account No:
11.Bank Address:
12. Swift Code:
13. Routing No:
MODE OF PAYMENT
(1)Online wire Transfer
(2) ATM CARD payment
(3)Courier Delivery Of your Certified overdue payment Cheque
Choose any of the above option on how you are going to receive your payment and get back to this office so that we can proceed with your transfer.
Yours faithfully
Mr.Osaze Osifo
|
Anti-fraud resources:
