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.
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.
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "ADMIN" (may be fake) Reply-To: <purchase@bvwlawfirm.com> Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2017 17:28:32 -0700 Subject: Re: ALERT: You have an unread message ... Fish Contact Us
Wire Transfer Made To Your BankWire Transfer Payment
Wire Transfer Made To Your Bank Account
Kindly find attached wire transfer swift details for payment we made to your
bank account today as requested by a banking customer.
Customer advised us to send a copy of payment slip to you so that you can
check with your bank and confirm receipt of funds.
Swift details attached.
Confirm if the wire transfer is correct in the
attached TT Copy.
Note Please:
*** The Document can be downloaded via Personal
Computer (PC) or a Laptop***
*** Kindly move the message from Junk/Spam folder to
enable you download ***
***
If you download attachment and cannot view, then follow the dowload link below
as alternative:
