|
|
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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Adonai Gbewanou <clarkblasus01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: adonaigbewanouesq@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2021 05:45:24 -0700
Subject: Dear friend,
--
Dear Friend
I contacted you based on the death of my late client who has the same
surname with you and he is a national of your country. I want you to
stand as the next of kin to my late client so that his fund that was
deposited in my country before his death will be released and
transferred to your bank account as the next of kin.
I will provide you with all the legal services that will enable you to
successfully claim this fund. I will give you further information as
soon as you indicate your interest and readiness to carry out this
transaction with me.
Yours faithfully,
Adonai Gbewanou.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
