|
|
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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- 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.
- john_terry84@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Faith Boni <pietrolino.g@alice.it>
Reply-To: john_terry84@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2014 14:47:19 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Urgent Attention Is Needed
We finally registered your master card ATM of 2.5m usd to DHL courier service
company with your code no (Code: (06634) / $2.5musd) contact them
immediately With the info below send this detail to MR.John Terry for fast
delivery (john_terry84@yahoo.com)
Telephone no:+229 9931 40 98
So therefore you are require to provide your information listed below to
enable
them complete your delivery to your doorstep.
Address..........
Telephone......
Country............
Occupation......
Copy of id........
E-MAIL:..
Mr. John Terry is a God fearing and with good account of which others have
received
their funds successfully through his services and there was no complaining so
far, so I can assure you that you will receive the payment today according to
the instruction I gave to him which rely on your immediate conglomerate with
him.
NOTE: That it depends how serious you are
Yours Sincerely
Mrs Faith Boni
|
Anti-fraud resources:
