|
|
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:
- "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)
- "million us 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: Liam Tremblay <scotiewilson1970@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tremblayliamliamtremb@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:29:22 +0000
Subject: Greetings
Greetings
The United Nations Reimbursement Commission payment exercise has Deposited
your payment of (USD 2.000, 000.00$) Two Million US Dollars with a Bank of
International Settlements affiliated with a Special Courier Envoy. This is
regarding the draws the Secretary General António Guterres organized on his
visit to Africa/Asia/U.S.A/Europe to help individuals/Internet Scam Victims
and Charity organizations, whose name and contact was listed among those
who are to benefit from the reimbursement exercise.
The funds can be disbursed to you through an International Special envoy or
better still transferred through a transparent Swift process approved in
your Registration Reference to your nominated bank account.
You should get back to us to enable us commence payment/ transfer
immediately with your complete details
Best Regard's
Mr. Liam Trembley
|
Anti-fraud resources:
