|
|
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:
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- ",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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- williams_m74@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Donald Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williams_m74@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2018 11:44:22 +0100
Subject: Re: We need an urgent reply...
AIB (Allied Irish Bank)
Address: St Helen's
1 Undershaft
London
EC3A 8AB
Tel:+44 797 838 8524
Ref: Payment Approved Notification.
Greetings,
In accordance to the instruction given to us to transfer the sum of US$7,500,000.00 (Seven Million United States Dollars) Into your account You are advice to send us an attach copy of your international passport or drivers license with your address and mobile telephone number to enable us open an online Banking account your name with the above fund and forward to you the information, so that you can from there wire the fund to any of your oversea Bank account .
Following information stated below is all we required to setup the online banking account on your name.
1. Attach copy of your passport photo
2. Your Resident address
3. Your Direct Telephone number.
4. Your Full name
5. Occupation
We need an urgent reply sent to this email (williams_m74@aol.com) with the above informations for us to complete your transaction.
Kindly acknowledge your receipt of this mail.
Yours Faithfully.
Mr. Donald Williams
(Account Department Manager)
AIB (Allied Irish Bank)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
