|
|
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:
- ",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)
- "offixces@gmx.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Michael Murray <kostroma@clati-cfo.ru>
Reply-To: <msdeborageist@gmx.us>
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:25:39 -0800
Subject: Transfer APPROVED($35,500,000.00 )
Attn: Beneficiary
This is to inform you that we have received your payment file from International Monetary Fund (IMF) together with your Approved Transaction Number (2830U691) to transfer your payment of USD 35,500,000.00 to your bank account since your transaction has been verified to be legal by International Monetary Fund (IMF).
You are advised to send your banking and personal details for the processing and transfer of your payment today.
YOUR FULL NAME:
YOUR ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
OCCUPATION:
I am waiting for your immediate reply and remember to funish us with the needed information above so we can transfer your fund without further delay.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Murray
Head of Human Resources
Citibank
SMS/CALL: +1 646-349-3874
E-MAIL: offixces@gmx.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
