|
|
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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Ignatius Chombo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chomboignatiusproposal@gmail. com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2018 22:17:57 -0700
Subject: GOOD DAY
Dear Sir/Madam.
I like to discuss a very confidential transaction with you, be rest assured that it will profit both of us. I am Ignatius Chombo a very close friend and finance minister to the out going president of Zimbabwe, we are are looking for an overseas partner that would receive some huge funds on our behalf. We have to move the funds out of Zimbabwe before the end of the month because of the political situation in the country
As of now we are in position of the sum of USD47.5million which we need to move out of Zimbabwe as soon as possible, we need you to front as the beneficiary of the funds so you can receive the funds
However due to the political pressure in Zimbabwe your input on how you would most like us to get the funds to you will be appreciated even though we have mapped out our plans also
I hope to hear from you very soon as time is very important , we would not mind to give you 25% of the total sum for your assistance once the transaction is completed
Thanks for your anticipated co operation
Sincerely
Dr Ignatius Chombo
chomboignatiusproposal@gmail. com
http://allafrica.com/stories/ 201801060103.html
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
|
Anti-fraud resources:
