|
|
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:
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- 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.
- mgrampayoffice@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Sandra Jones" <grahamttoy@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mgrampayoffice@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2021 20:20:19 +0100
Subject: Payment
--
Money Gram Money Transfer Worldwide
Payment Order File. MG/2020/2021
Dear Customer
Your urgent response is needed for your fund transfer as soon as possible
today you shall be receiving $5000 USD daily until your total winning price
$850,000 USD is completely sent to you.
Reconfirm to us the below details for successful transfer of your fund and
take note that this transfer will only cost you $99 USD been your payment
file activation fee.
Provide us your full contact details/Profile as stated below:
1.Your Full name................
2.Contact Address..........
3.Country Of Origin......
4.Private telephone number...................
5.Attached any of Your Identification Copy.....
Best Regards.
Mrs. Sandra Jones
Email: mgrampayoffice@gmail.com
Phone; (202) 217-5537
|
Anti-fraud resources:
