|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John Williams" <"www."@fork.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. John Williams" <www.fedexservice736@web.co.zw>
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2017 07:19:08 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention Dear Friend
Attention Dear Friend
I am here by inform you to contact, FedEx express with your delivery address and telephone
nos,where The interest of (4.5 million) (box) will Deliver to you as a cash payment of your
holding inheritance Funds to avoid another hoax as you're disappointed in the past, this is their
Contact us with all your info. And phone number
Dr. Raymond Hillary
Email ;( www.fedexservice736@web.co.zw )
Tel;;+229 6142 3756,
Note.Indicate this registration Fed/122p/mtm/2016 Zip Code; AXL1413
God Bless you,
Mr. John Williams
|
Anti-fraud resources:
