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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:
- 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 dollars" (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)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "DR TOM IKEBE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tomikebe000@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 10:23:16 -0800
Subject: Telex Payment Notification *
CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE
MARINA,LAGOS-NIGERIA.
TELEGRAM: FBNFOREX
Payment Notification:
Attention;
I am Dr.Tom Ikebe secretary of the Debt Reconciliation committee Instituted by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria .
My office monitors and controls the affairs of all Debt and Financial institutions in Nigeria concerned with foreign claim payments. I am the final signatory to any transfer or remittance of huge funds moving within banks both on the local and international levels in line with foreign claim settlements.
I have before me list of beneficiaries funds to be transfer, the Federal Government in conjunction with the Ministry Of Finance has agreed/concluded to pay your (Debt) fund value US$65.7 million dollars (sixty five million seven hundred thousand united states dollars)
We are writhing to know if it's true that you are incapacitated at the moment. Because we received a notification from one Mr.James Gill stating that you have transfer the right of ownership of your contract sum to him for claim .
Sequel to the above claim,we cannot proceed with him until we have confirmed from you to go ahead to dealing with him.
We beg to hear from you within seven working days,to ascertain Mr.James Gill claim,Be advised that we have made all arrangements for you to receive your funds of US$65.7 million dollars without anymore Delay.
Kindly get back to this Office for immediate delivery of your fund at your home address.We shall not be hold responsible for any wrong payment of your fund.
YOUR SUCCESS REMAINS OUR GOAL.
Yours faithfully,
Dr.TOM IKEBE
SECRETARY DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
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