|
|
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:
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms. Heidi Meier" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nlot71@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2018 07:48:29 -0800
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT UNUVTZJQRY
Greetings
I wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of $25,134,000.38 Euros
Twenty-Five million, One hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand dollars in return investment made to
"A.J. Hughes & Sons" a building a civil engineering company. This is my fourth and final letter to you.
A regular mail was dispatched to you but yet no reply from you. We are contacting you again
because his instruction stipulates that this fund should be paid directly to you at the end of the investment duration.
I request you to kindly acknowledge officially, enabling me file all necessary legal documents for the release of your money.
For more information to email: maner-admin@meta.ua
Yours Truly,
Barrister Meier Heidi
Heidi and Sons Lawfirm
KPGZLZLLHSZKKVXEJSSMYPVSWHTOTPPESLZHVI
|
Anti-fraud resources:
