|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
- mrluwiswilliam@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Luwis Na William" <luwis.nwilliam@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2020 10:50:16 +0000
Subject: Reply
Hello My Good Friend:
My name is Mr.Luwis Williams a Banker by profession and currently a Bill and Exchange Manager Director Auditing and Account Section Foreign Remittance Department director with Bank of (BOA) Benin Republic Branch.
I got your name and address in my search for a reputable and reliable person to help me and claim the sum of $13.2 million deposit in our bank by one of our customer who died with his wife and children on car crash accident and since his death no one has come up as his next of kin so that is why I decided to contact you.
Your Full Name,Contact Address,Phone/fax number,will be necessary for this Effect. I await your response so as for us to proceed with the transaction.If you are interested,
this my Alternativee mail address(mrluwiswilliam@yahoo.com) My Phone number is +229-95394749
I looking forward to hear from you further action.
Thanks
Best Regard
Mr.Luwis Williams
|
Anti-fraud resources:
