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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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: CREDIT SUISSE CIE SA <dr.slamidos@gmail.com>
Reply-To: creditsuisse252@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2021 08:15:22 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY ON CONFIRMATION OF YOUR PAYMENT.
--
Your Attention.
We write to inform you that weâve been trying to reach your bank for
the transfer of your fund as been instructed from the corresponding
African Bank to credit your account with the sum of US$10.5Million in
your favor.
Weâve been trying to reach your bank but weâve been finding it
difficult as the information forwarded to us from African Bank in
South Africa in respect of your account is not correct.
Your urgent response on this matter is highly needed for the
successful transfer of your fund to your nominated bank account will
enable your bank callback confirmation of your funds into your
account.
We wait to read from you soon.
Yours sincerely
Tidjane Thiam
Director
Credit Suisse Cie SA
Paradeplatz 8
8070 Zurich,
Switzerland.
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Anti-fraud resources: