|
|
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:
- "processing fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- 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.
- officefile461@163.com (163; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: From Mrs Pamela Ahmad <faiththird_bank@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: From Mrs Pamela Ahmad <officefile461@163.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 22:35:48 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Your Payment Notification
 Your Payment Notification
>From Mrs Pamela Ahmad
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Attention Please
On behalf of our Executive Aims of Government, I was authorized to inform
you that the arrangement to effect your inheritance payment of $12.5
Million has been scheduled Your inheritance payment of $12.5 Million has
been arranged for you through Inter Swift ATM Card payment which will
allow you to withdraw from any ATM Machine in any part of the world
Europe, America and Asia pacific. This is the latest instruction from our
President Dr.Yayi boni and that is why I was authorized to contact you.
Therefore you are advised to contact the United Bank Of Africa (UBA) Bank
ATM Department for The immediate delivery of your ATM Card. They are the
only bank appointed by the Federal government to send you the ATM card.
Note that the only money you will send to them is the processing fee.
Contact person Mr.GOODLUCK BEN
E-mail: (officefile461@163.com )
Telephone +229 99928619
Send to him your full details as listed
1) Full name:______________
2) Address:_______________
3) Country:_______________
4) City:________________
5) Telephone:______________
6) Age:_______________
7) Occupation:______________
8) Sex:_______________
Forward your details to Mr.GOODLUCK BEN E-mail:
(officefile461@163.com), ask him how to send the fee and how much
it will cost.
Thanks.
>From Mrs Pamela Ahmad
Minister of Foreign Affairs
|
Anti-fraud resources:
