|
|
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:
- "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "transfer cost" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "reservebk_ofindia@9.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "reservebk_ofindia@9.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "DR SHARMA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <reservebk_ofindia@9.cn>
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:53:53 +0530
Subject: RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
6,SANSAD MARG, NEW DELHI- 110 001, INDIA.
TELL +91 98-732-381-85
Reply to: reservebk_ofindia@9.cn
Greeting From Reserve bank Of India.
This is to notify you that we get a transfer from our correspondent bank in UK this morning on your behalf. Now we are waiting for your confirmation before the final remittance to your registered bank account. Please reconfirm the below information.
(1) Your full name.
(2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
{3) Your bank information.
{4) Profession, age and marital status.
{5) Copy of Intel passport or any valid working identity.
Finally you are advice to send us the transfer cost of $250.00and as soon you send the money the total amount of $856,000 will be credited to your account. You only have three days to send the $250.00 cost of transfer so that the money will be credited to your account with out any delay.
Treat this as matter of urgency.
SINCERELY.
DR: PRAKASH SHARMA.
TELL +91 98-732-381-85 Reply to: reservebk_ofindia@9.cn
|
Anti-fraud resources:
