|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",500,000" (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 service" (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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- delivery.unit7974@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Thomas Winzen" <mh4636@mclink.it>
Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2017 17:10:20 +0200
Subject: Fund Allocation Approval
Be informed
Your direct Allocation Award Compensation amount of US$1,500,000.00
Dollar has been approved by the United Nations Compensation Commission
(UNCC) in conjunction with the European Payments Council. Your money
has been loaded into an ATM card which will be delivered to you in
person at your place of residence via DHL courier service.
Your ATM card can be used anywhere - to shop online, to pay in stores
and to withdraw cash at ATMs in any part of the world. For more
information and clarification, contact our zonal coordinator with your
details for the delivery of your card. E-mail: (
delivery.unit7974@gmail.com ) Mr. Martin Amado. Tel: +229-99 750 765.
Best regards,
Dr. Thomas Winzen. (Payments Committee - European Commission)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
