|
|
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:
- "registration 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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Joe Tom" <fbio5821@gmail.com>
Reply-To: emmaenough1@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2021 12:57:19 -0800
Subject: FROM OUR REF: UN-FGA/WB4/13
OUR REF: UN-FGA/WB4/13
YOUR REF: (UN/WB/FGA)..00/14
BATCH: (425526289)
It is my pleasure to reach you after our unsuccessful attempt on our
business transaction, Well i just want to use this medium to thank you
very much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the
funds without any positive outcome.
Contact Mr.Joe Tom
I have kept the ATM VISA CARD with Him at amount worth of US$3.5
million for your compensation and you are expecting to send him your
full address via mail to deliver your card to you. you are required to
send him the following information as listed ,so that he will direct
you how your ATM Visa Card can been deliver to your destination.
You are to confirm and provide to us your postal address below.
YOUR FULL NAME...................
YOUR COUNTRY.....................
YOUR HOME ADDRESS..............
YOUR DIRECT PHONE................
Note: that the only money to pay for this transaction is the
registration fee of $25 and you purchase an iTunes card of $25,and send
the information to us for immediate remittance of your fund to
you.Note: that every claims has an expiring period of five working
days (5days) so you have to do that very urgently to avoid expiration,
Thanks
Your sincerely
Mr. Joe Tom
Director Of Scam Victim Compensation payment Center
|
Anti-fraud resources:
