|
|
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:
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "GET BACK TO US URGENTLY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <iinfo24@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 21:23:48 -0700
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT IS READY ! localhost
Hello
Did you authorize one Mrs. Ann Kerr, to meet us as your representatives, with documents of claim purported to have been signed by you for the released of your payment has been approved for Payment by the paying Bank waiting for final endorsement/clarification.
Reconfirm back to us to avoid any irregularities, as your fund is now due to be transferred to Mrs. Anna Kerr whose information has been withheld until final authorization by you. The Auditor General of the bank and the international monitoring fund (IMF) has given us a mandate to pay all local/foreigners there outstanding payment. I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be release to you as soon as we hear from you.
We hereby officially notify you about the present arrangement to pay Mrs. Ann Kerr your over due contract/Prize/inheritance fund. The World Bank has been notified about this payment arrangement as to enable all beneficiaries to receive their fund without any interference.
Do re-confirm the below Bank Details
Bank: Citibank N.A.
City/Country: New York - U.S.A.
SWIFT TID: CITIUS33
CHIPS ABA : 0008
FED ABA : 021000080
Name Account: Ann Kerr.
Account #: 36240424
This fund will be transfer to this account within 72 hours and we advice you get back to us for confirmation
Yours truly,
Michael August.
IMF Secretary.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
