|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- williamsears403@accountant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- sears position:foreign operations dept. email: williamsears403@accountant.com contact him soon as possible and always update me to (Accountant; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Patrick Benson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <patrickbenson0012@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2019 12:16:04 -0700
Subject: Your Funds
Dear Fund Beneficiary
I am Mr. Patrick Benson the new Chairman House committee Payment and verification on foreign contractors and Foreign Affairs office of the presidency Accra Ghana.This is to let you know that all the Bank Drafts. ATM Card,consignment Funds that was on hold by Customs, Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and others asking for one charges and another from Africa, Europe, America has re-called back and converted to Cash payment system and channeled to access Bank Accra to pay through telegraphic transfer.Be informed that all the necessary arrangement has been finalized and your fund has moved to Foreign reserve access Bank that will release the fund directly to your bank account.Contact Foreign Reserve access Bank with below information for more information on how to receive your fund directly to your account .You have to stop any further communication regards to your fund with any office in Africa, Europe America or Asia.
Contact Person : William Sears
Position:Foreign Operations Dept.
Email: williamsears403@accountant.com
Contact him soon as possible and always update me to when you have confirmed your payment as mandated.
Best Regards
Mr. Patrick Benson
patrickbenson0012@gmail.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
