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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 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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "michaelchris1904@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Kareem Lucas" <royalbankinfgor11@gmail.com>
Reply-To: michaelchris1904@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2021 16:53:06 -0800
Subject: GOOD DAY TO YOU.
Attention Dear,
My name is Mr. Kareem Lucas, an officer with United Nations and we
have been having meetings in our office and have agreed to compensate
some victims of scam with the sum of $1.4 Million Dollars and the
payment was recently approved to you, which is one of the latest
instructions from United Nations.
Therefore, you are advised to contact our chief compensation officer,
Mr. Michael Christian and get your payment released with immediate effect.
Kindly send your reply and forward your full details to him on his
E-Mail:michaelchris1904@outlook.com
{1}. Your Full Name:
{2}. Your Home Address, City and Country:
{3}. Your Private Cell:
{4}. Occupation
Preferred choice of receiving payment
(A) Telegraphic Transfer:
(B) Cash Delivery:
(C) ATM Card:
(D) Certified Bank Draft:
(E) Bitcoin
Thanks
Mr.Kareem Lucas
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Anti-fraud resources: