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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: US Virgin Island Money <"chie.1211.bd."@cure.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: US Virgin Island Money <usvimonline@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2017 11:30:54 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention
Attention
We hereby acknowledge the approval of your US$ 7.5million in respect of Late Mr. Allen Bequest; for onward remittance to your nominated bank account under our normal banking routine.
Reply with a scanned copy of your ID for verification and we will therefore set up an Offshore/Online Bank Account on your behalf in our bank for easy transfer to your nominated bank account via our Online Banking system in accordance to the new law of International Monetary Fund (IMF) sub-section 297(f)2008 act for transfer above GBP 1million or US$1.5million equivalent.
Once again thank you for banking with us and we are looking forward to do business with you. Should in case you want to invest here in US Virgin Island we will help you with our investment projects and stocks but do not hesitate to contact us in case of further inquires (+1 8647194512).
Best Regards,
Mrs. Cassandra Hoffman
Online/International Remittance Department.
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Anti-fraud resources: