|
|
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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "ford_found001@yahoo.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.
- 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.
- +447031900726 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ford Foundation Inc." <info1@fordfoundation.com>
Reply-To: ford_found001@yahoo.cn
Date: Wed, 29 May 2013 06:27:27 -0300
Subject: Draw Number #2013/FF0981**Claims**
The Board of Ford Foundation would like to notify you that you have been
chosen by the board of trustees as one of the final recipients of a cash
Grant/Donation of the sum of 1,000,000.00 (One Million Great British Pound
Sterlings) Ford Foundation, a Multi-Million group with support from the
United Nations Organization (UNO) and the European Union (EU) as one of
the final recipients of a cash Grant/Donation. These specific
Donations/Grants will be awarded to 100 lucky international recipients
worldwide.
These specific Donations/Grants will be awarded to 100 lucky international
recipients worldwide in different categories for their personal business
development and enhancement of their educational plans. This is a yearly
program, which is a measure of universal development strategy. You are
hereby advise to get back to us.
Draw Number #2013/FF0981
For claims of your Grant/Donation contact The Ford
Foundation:(ford_found001@yahoo.cn) with your full Data and contacts.
Congratulations once more from all members
and staff of this program.
Sincerely,
Joshua Cinelli
+44-70319-00726
Media Relations Chief
© 2013 Ford Foundation.
Ford Foundation
|
Anti-fraud resources:
