|
|
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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. JOHN KERR" <no-reply@drivethrustuff.com>
Reply-To: Mr.john@1email.eu
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:35:59 -0400
Subject: ***PAYMENT APPROVAL***
UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
RESOLUTION PANEL ON PAYMENT)
WASHINGTON DC
Attention: Sir
I wish to use my good office as the secretary of the secretary of States United States of America to inform you that your long outstanding payment US$10.5M (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) have been approved to pay in your favor and this news came as a result of in door meeting held with the International Monetary Unit and World Bank Debt relief teams/United Nation Security Council on international debt settlement .
The aboved stated fund has been approved to pay you via an ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw money from any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, but the maximum you can withdraw per a day is USD$10,000.00 Only or payment by International Certified Bank draft /KTT WIRE TRANSFER .
I am writing this to you as my follow good cititzens as i have been authorized to do so in order to control and guild you properly to avoid you beeing victimized again based on a lot of complains we have been receiving every day from the creditors for the inability to get thier payment through the rightful way .
You are hereby recommend in good faith and confident to contact the only authorized bank in Africa for your payment and you should furnish them with your official contact information and follow all instruction from them to enable you get success .Your guarantee and security is secured for your dealings with the bank stated bellow as long as we are concern :
Bank
Thanks for adhering to this instruction and once again accept my
congratulations in advance.
Best Regards,
MR. JOHN KERR
NEW SECRETARY OF THE STATE
|
Anti-fraud resources:
