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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "activation fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Zainab Shamsuna <kellyjames238@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ZainabShamsuna04@outlook.com
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2021 00:00:17 -0700
Subject: YOUR ATM CARD Worth Of $4.8Million Dollars
Hello i have receive your mail send to us now and you let know that
you not no Mr. Ben Clopper and i want you to try and send the $125
today so that you will receive your ATM CARD .him said that you die
One months ago in a car accident on your way going to work and before
your death you told him that you have an ATM CARD worth of $4.8Million
dollars and he came here with $125 dollars the activation fee of the
ATM card to activate the ATM card and collect it.so if you not die i
want you to try and send the money today so that i will arrest him now
if you not send the money TODAY i will give the ATM CARD TO Mr. Ben
Clopper Go back to in country okay
Do have a wonderful day if you are alive but if you are dead may your
soul rest in peace (AMEN)
Yours Faithfully
Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna
Director Swift ATM Credit Card/ Telex Dept.
Zenith Bank Plc Benin Republic
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Anti-fraud resources: