|
|
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:
- "clearance document" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "account opening" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Paul Marek" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulmarek.b@mail15.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2017 14:42:52 -0700
Subject: Attn: ,
Attn: ,
We are in receipt of an approval document forwarded to our Bank. United
Bank of Africa by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and United Nation
office (UN) to effect an immediate payment of $7,800,000.00 USD
( Seven Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
to your nominated account as your over long due Inheritance fund.
You are to make your preferred and affordable choice from the three
options below:
Option (1)
Bank To Bank Transfer: This is a direct electronic transfer that will
Enable you receive the sum of money in any account that you will
provide for this Bank to effect the transfer as it is always done
electronically. It will take three (3) business days to reflect in the
Account that you will provide.
Option (2)
Bank Account Opening: You will have to open a new Bank account here
with us and it will be registered for international transfer and you
can make an online transfer as it will take 24Hours to get the account
done.
Option (3)
Client Card Payment: You will have to receive an ATM Card and approved
clearance documents this will take two (2) business days to deliver to
your doorstep. We will have to use our courier company to deliver the
parcel to your location.
Reconfirm to this office immediately:
1)Your Name/ Address ............................
2) Tel/cell/Fax numbers .......................
3) Age/ Marital Status .........................
4) Company name and position.........................
Thanks
Mr Paul Marek
Customer Care
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
|
Anti-fraud resources:
