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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "cheque " (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 DONLD J TRUMP <"www."@cocoa.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: MR DONLD J TRUMP <mrdonldtump@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:36:41 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greetings From WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT
Greetings From WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT
I Donald Trump is hereby to inform you that with my great pressurized terms
to World bank organization together with United State Embassy Benin Republic,
they have approved to all beneficiary outstanding fund just today and you
are among 15 lucky beneficiary that is receiving their bank check draft worth
$10.5 million dollar as a compensation /inherited fund of yours .Meanwhile the
check draft will be release to you in next two working days by agent as soon as you
meetup/comply with the instruction/requirements for the check draft delivery
(putting America first). Nevertheless I sincerely apologies for the delay of
your fund for decade years now and all the inconveniences you might went
through, cause the past government is horror to our system which in all case
not meeting up with fund beneficiary schedules payments, for immediate effect
of your check draft delivery Kindly reconfirm to my Agent Mr Robert Brown the
below data for the delivery .and keep him posted for the delivery of your cheque
Full Name................. .............................
Mailing Address.........................................
Cell phone number:......................................
City:...................................................
NOTED: MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN WITH YOUR FULL SUPPORT
You can Cal The Agent Mr Robert Brown +1(424-228-9644)
Yours Faithful
Donald Trump
45th U.S. President
AND WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT O
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