|
|
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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Alex Ugo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alex.ugo1878@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2017 13:39:32 +0100
Subject: THE PRESIDENCY
THE PRESIDENCY
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
TELEX DIRECTOR ON FOREIGN PAYMENT CBN
TEL:234-809-660-9827
Our Ref FGN/PRES/1-2/017
From the Desk of:Alex Ugo
TELEX DIRECTOR ON FOREIGN PAYMENT CBN.
Attn:
After the meeting we held yesterday with the presidency based on report we received from United Nations, we received an email from one Mrs. Nancy St.John who told us that she is your next of kin and that you died in a car accident last
week. Below is her address 20863 S. 397 RD Hulbert, Ok 74441 we should send your ATM VISA CARD to her.
Please confirm to us if the information is right so that we will not make any mistake. As soon as we hear from you we shall send you a scan copy of the ATM VISA CARD and bear it in mind that we are taking care of courier cost which is only $450 and you are to pay the Customs stamp duty fee.
This is the First quarter payment of the year and with the agreement we have with
United Nations that this year all our contractors will receive their over due payment unless you are a ghost contractor.
You should also send us your phone as fax number to enable us call you as soon as we send it. And no account we will deduct any cent from your fund since we are
taking care of the courier cost. I wait to hear from you.
Alex Ugo
|
Anti-fraud resources: