|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "urgent assistance" (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: pete Koffi <mrpetekofi@gmail.com>
Reply-To: petekoffi2018@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2021 01:11:35 -0700
Subject: Hello Friend, Reply for our mutual benefit
--
Dear Friend,
Please don't be surprise over this communication. I am Mr. Pete Koffi, the
director of head operations department. It is out of emergency as I need
your urgent assistance on transferring the total sum of $35.000.000.00
(Thirty Five Million United States Dollars) in your account under legal
arrangement. This is an overdue contract payment which was not paid out at
the right time as a result of the sudden death of the beneficiary and his
suppose next of kin a very long time ago.
This is a risk free transaction. So upon your positive response, I
will tell you the way forward
about the deal. If you are interested kindly furnish me with your full
information.
I am waiting for your urgent response in this regard.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Mr. Pete Koffi
|
Anti-fraud resources:
