|
|
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:
- "million pounds" (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 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: BRITIS SUPPORT HIGHCOMMSSION <highcommssion@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: british_support@sify.com
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2011 15:22:57 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Our Charity Support,
ATTEN:
DEAR, SIR
I Am Dr. Patrick Gate, personal assistant to the president British charity Support High Commission and foreign affairs…
A top Government official in your country has recommends you to us as a Good partridge of your nation whom we can in trust the sum of (five million pounds) for our charity support to your country to reduce the numbers of unemployment/suffering and to support the motherless in various places in the country this year.
As you are to put up an offices with this little funds that my Commission can afford. We are here by requested for all your information’s and position in your country as at now.
Please reply this message as soon as possible together with your passport photo and bank details…
Thanks
Yours faithfully
Dr. Patrick Gate
Fax:+447960255016
Tell:+447752330511
|
Anti-fraud resources:
