|
|
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:
- "million 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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- smithfredrerickw200@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: International Monetary Fund <cecilia.onyeaka12@gmail.com>
Reply-To: smithfredrerickw200@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 2021 21:30:22 -0700
Subject: Contact Him
--
ATTENTION
This is from the International Monetary Funds Payment Committee Unit,
I have been trying to reach you just to inform you that your fund
worth $3.5 million dollars from
United Nation after our final meeting with the world bank president
Mr. David Malpass. A BANK CHECK has been written for you after the
world bank president has
approved the release of this stated funds from the world bank account.
The BANK CHECK has been deposited with the FedEx courier company for
delivery. Kindly Reconfirm the below information and make sure your
address is written correctly
to avoid wrongful delivery of your BANK CHECK to a wrong destination..
1) YOUR FULL NAME:....
2) YOUR COUNTRY:.....
3) YOUR ADDRESS:......
4) YOUR PHONE NUMBER:.....
5) YOUR OCCUPATION:......
6) YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT:.....
Upon the receipt of your mailing address they shall proceed for the
delivery of your BANK CHECK to your home address So feel free and
contact the FedEx courier company
agent with your full delivery information, you can email the FedEx
chairman to this email below,
NAME: Smith W. Frederick
EMAIL: smithfredrerickw200@gmail.com
Best Regard
IMF President
Mrs. Kristalina Geogieva
|
Anti-fraud resources:
