|
|
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:
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- email.ecobank349@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "S.N OKONKWO" <willyhi@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: bankplceco143@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2012 23:18:34 +0800 (CST)
Subject: CONTACT THE BANK NOW TO RECEIVE YOUR FUND
From:Dr.Obi Nnamdi
Manager of
International
Eco Bank Benin
Kumasi Branch'
Contonu-Benin
Email.ecobank349@yahoo.fr
Tel:+229 68041452
Attn:
We acknowledge the receipt of your
mail,This fund $10.5Millon Dollars have been sign and Approval By President
Republic of Benin,in conjunction with the Federal Executive Council (FEC), The
Senate Committee on Foreign Debts Reconciliation and Implementation Panel.You
have nothing to worry about this fund.you are Advise to response to this mail
with your full information's below to enable us release your fund without any
delay.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
1. Full Name.
2.
Nationality/Religion.
3. Contact Address.
4.Bank Account
5. Telephone Number.
6. Fax Number.
7. Date of Birth.
8. Occupation.
9. Age.
10. Sex.
11.Alternative E-mail
address.
12.Identification id
card.
You are also Advise to make your
Kindly choose from this two modes of payment (Bank to Bank wire Transfer and ATM
card).
Best Regards,
Dr.Obi Nnamdi
Manager of
International
Eco Bank Benin
|
Anti-fraud resources: