|
|
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:
- "million us 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)
- "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
- cnku1@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "noreply-info@fco.gov.uk" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cnku1@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 22 May 2017 04:39:42 -0700
Subject: your % is sure
Hello,
I am Ruth,18 years old from Syria but now living in Cambodia on asylum
I got your email address from your country online email database Directory,
Please Can you help me to transfer my inheritance of USD$30 Million (Thirty Million US dollars) from Cambodia bank to your account and also help me to invest it on any viable and lucrative business
I will give you 40% for helping me.
If you can handle it please Reply only to my private email address at: cnku1@hotmail.com
Please delete and ignore this message if you cannot help me for my safety. I believe my father has a lot of enemies from the Syrian rebellion who will do anything to take my life if they know where I am.
Reply only to my private email address: cnku1@hotmail.com
Regards,
Ruth
|
Anti-fraud resources:
