|
|
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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA <22911uba@gmail.com>
Reply-To: firstb42@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2020 10:56:41 +0100
Subject: Your Account has been credited with instant order
Due to the pandemic in the world right now and having considered numerous
petitions from International unpaid contractors/ inheritance funds
beneficiaries and the international communities advice concerning the debt
Nigerian government owed to foreigners globally.
I urge you to inform you right now that Your Name has appeared in Our
National News PAPER WORLDWIDE for those that our Government is owing and
Now Ready to credited there fund with instant order. ??
Kindly forward Your details for correction and confirmation/ Your Cell
phone number /Full Name / Home Address / Copy of your passport, the
information is needed to confirm your (OTP) code to authorized your payment
into your account
Your Whats-App number will be needed or Skype app name is needed to
privatize this transaction and update you urgently. Please.
Waiting for your Urgent Response.
Yours Faithfully:
DR. FRANK KELLEY
DIRECTOR (WIRE TRANSFER)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
