|
|
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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- 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.
- mbaj619@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "CAPT. Edward Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mbaj619@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2017 05:16:31 -0800
Subject: Greetings.
Greetings.
I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner.
I found you listed in the (DOD) Database and I find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business. Please, I really want to solicit your attention to receive money on my behalf. I am CAPT. Edward Williams, an African America officer in the US Army and also a West Point Graduate presently serving in the Military with the 82nd Airborne Division Peace keeping force currently deployed in Afghanistan. We were moved to Afghanistan from IRAQ as the last batch just left, and I really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two military trunk boxes containing $18M and if you are willing to handle this business, i will direct the Diplomatic office holding the Boxes to deliver the consignment to any place you are to enable you be with the fund until I come down to meet you for investment. You will be entitled to benefit 30% of the fund.
I HOPE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED because i will give you all the deposit documents issued to me from the security company to enable you claim the fund.
If you can be trusted, I will explain further when I get a response from you today and I urge you to response as soon as you get this mail, but rest assured that there is no risk involve on this..
God bless you.
Regards
CAPT. Edward Williams
Email: mbaj619@gmail.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
