|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- pqdesks@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: <idevex1@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <pqdesks@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 20:30:20 -0400
Subject: I am Waiting for your urgent reply.
I crave your indulgence for the unsolicited nature of this letter, but it was
borne out of desperation and current development. Please bear with me.My name
is Mr.Pacquio Mensah,the Director in charge of Auditing section of HFC Bank in
Accra-Ghana I discovered existing dormant account .I seek your consent to
present yourself as the next of kin of the deceased.
As an auditor in the bank I will use my position in the bank to help you stand
as the next of kin to the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued
at ($9 Million) dollars can be transferred to
you, this is the story in a nutshell.
I will send you full details on how the business will be executed and also
note that you will receive 45% of the above mentioned amount if you agree to
help me execute this business kindly send the followings to me such as:
Your Name ;.......................
Your Telephone Number ;...........
Your Private Email Address;........
Your Home mailing address;........
I expect your urgent response with much anticipation!!!!!!!
You have to contact my private email *( pqdesks@yahoo.com
)*
Thanks and remain bless.
Mr.Pacquio Mensah.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
