|
|
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:
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "(JFK) International Airport" <jfk8@slmux.com>
Reply-To: <adesilgon77@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2016 20:46:24 -0800
Subject: Urgent From(JFK) International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport.
New York, NY 11430,
United States.
Attn: Consignee,
A cash stuffed suitcase with a false declared computer serial number JFK/8976/CW987 in the bill of entry stowed on a flight from Africa bearing an illegible routing label email addressed only as the consignee was abandoned here in our facility by an unknown emissary. On an extensive inspection the Value of the cash stuffed suitcase was not declared.
We discovered that the oddly printed email address of Mr. Carey Walter Richard we contacted was not the correct email address on the manifest information so we decided to contact you to confirm if you have given Mr. Carey Walter Richard a Power of Attorney to proceed and receive the dispatch for you.
If yes we will need a disclaimer otherwise provide urgently.
1. Name of Recipient. (Very Important)
2. Address of Recipient. (Not P.O. Box).
3. Airport Closest to you.
4. Your ID card or Recipient ID attached to this email.
5. Cell phone Number.
For a re-shippment.
Best Regard,
Mr. Giles Woodward.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
