|
|
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 message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Sen. John Shagaya" <sen.johnshagaya_private@ymail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:12:11 +0100 (CET)
Subject: very very urgent
Dear Sir,
Our committee in the senate house decided to work with the office of the
accountant general and brig down the charges charged to funds beneficiary
to barest minimum, yours is calculated at $175 dollars only. You will pay
directly to the senate cashier so you will be given official receipt. The
senate will then authorize the accountant general office to release your
funds without further delay.
Do not make any other payment to any other person .
The only available options is ATM card and Direct bank transfer you will
notify the accountant ant general which will be preferred by you
Details of the payment will be sent to you as soon as you confirm the
receipt of this email.
This is the final notification as we have 2 weeks to submit our report.
Sen. John Shagaya
|
Anti-fraud resources:
