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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:
- "million united states 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: "Mrs. Melania Trump" <bbayyob@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsmelaniatrump328@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2021 00:31:56 -0800
Subject: United States of America .
I'm Mrs. Melania Trump,Former First Lady United States of America
.This is to officially inform you that your overdue payment from Kenya
 total sum of USD18.000.000 Eighteen Million United States Dollars is
currently here in my custody and the fund will be deliver to you as
soon as you get back to me and comply with the requirement as needed
to deliver your total fund to you as well. Your home address and your
cell phone number is highly needed to complete this delivery to you as
well,
Bear in mind that I have taken my time to be in charge of your fund as
instructed by United Nations to ensure that you receive your fund
successfully to reduce the economy hardship we are facing and Iâm the
only one that has your fund. You will  receive your fund through Bank
Check or ATM card depending on your choice,therefore ATM card or Bank
Check at the amount of USD18.000.000.00 Eighteen Million United States
Dollars will be sent to you as the Beneficiary of the same amount as
your fund. So you are urgently advised to get back to me with your
home address and cell phone number.
Reconfirm your information to avoid wrong delivery
Your full name:::::::::::
Country:::::::::::::
City:::::::::::::
Address:::::::::::::
Cell phone number::::::::::::
Thanks
Regards
Mrs. Melania Trump
United States of America .
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Anti-fraud resources: