|
|
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:
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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: ATM OFFICE <atm---memo1@att.net>
Reply-To: atmpayment.office1@ibibo.com
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:19:39 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: ATM PAYMENT APPROVAL
World Bank Auditors
African Regional Office,
Abuja,Nigeria.
Phone--- +234-8188203583
Attention:Valued Beneficiary,
After a protracted scrutiny,vetting and investigation into your Payment File in this First Quarter of the fiscal year 2011,the Presidency in conjunction with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network [fencen] has given an irrevocable order to this office to release your payment via Automated Teller Machine System (ATM) to the tune of US$5.5M within 72 hours as in accordance with the recently transfer order of the International Monetary Fund.
The VISA CREDIT CARD which is in partnership with Visa International and can be used through any e-payment channel(ATM and POS terminal) where visa is accepted.
Your Personal Identification Number is 0920.The ATM Visa Card is Valued at US$5.5M Only.You are advised to with the under listed information's for clarity and avoidance of error;
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
CELL PHONE NUMBERS:
OCCUPATION:
SEX :
AGE:
COUNTRY:
Prompt response recommended for immediate attention on the delivery of the card. Call me irrespective of time difference for more details on the delivery +234-8188203583
Regards,
Rev.(Dr) James Briggs
(World Bank Auditors)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
