|
|
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:
- "million united state 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)
- "million 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 dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "REV.SAM AGU" <info@lotto.org>
Reply-To: samagu.directortaxforceng2016@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2016 11:08:37 -0000
Subject: URGENT
Attention:
The Federal Government of Nigeria conducted a proper investigation and
discovered that you are among those that we have not paid in
the past.Sorry for the delay and we also discovered that you have lost a
lot of money in the hands of fraud stars / Scammers presenting themselves
to be a worker with TAX FORCE OFFICE (TFO) and other office officials.
However, all the board of directors and Federal Government of Nigeria have
unanimously agreed to remit your compensation funds six million united
state dollars($6 million dollars) immediately you provide all the
necessary requirements for the release of your fund.
So by this letter, you are advised to re-confirm to us the followings:
1) Your Full Name:
2) Your House Address:
3) Your working Telephone for easy communication.
4) Your Age/Current Occupation/Status.
5) Your ID Card.
Upon the receipt of this letter call me immediately for more details.
Thanks.
Rev.Sam Agu Director
Direct line:+2349092681359
|
Anti-fraud resources:
