|
|
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:
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- bankvattanac@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Godwin Emefiele" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bankvattanac@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2015 16:31:16 +0100
Subject: Dear Beneficiary,
Dear Beneficiary
After our last financial audit with the senate committee on finance (SCF) in this second quarter of the year, we resolved that your funds will be paid to you via our corresponding bank in Cambodia.
Find below the contact information of the final paying bank for the transfer of your funds $5 million. You are advised to contact the paying bank VATTANAC BANK CAMBODIA for the transfer of your funds via ATM or ONLINE Banking.
Contact person: Mr.Sochal Dith
Vattanac Bank Cambodia
No. 89, Preah Norodom Blvd
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Email: bankvattanac@gmail.com
Email: remittancedept@vattanacbnkh.com
T+855 236 766 756 F +855 236 766 756
Thanks
Godwin Emefiele
Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
