|
|
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:
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- homeland_department@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "FROM WASHINGTON DC, HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT AGENCY." <12345xrag@gmail.com>
Reply-To: homeland_department@aol.com
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2021 22:11:03 +0000
Subject: ATTENTION ESTEEMED BENEFICIARY OF FILES ON DESK...
--
You Are Receiving This Email In Respect Of Your Unclaimed
US$7,500,000.00 (Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollar) that Was Held By The African Authorities For Over Four(4)
Years. We Have Been Instructed By The Concerned Authorities To Have
Your Fund Release Process Completed Otherwise The Fund Will Be
Declared Confiscated. That Is Why I Have Decided To Contact You To
Know The Reason Why You Haven't Claimed Your Fund. We Are Ready And
Willing To Work With You And Give You Guidelines On How To Effectively
Receive Your Fund Without Difficulties.
It Is Understandable That You Might Be A Little Bit Apprehensive But
Trust Me; You Must Receive Your Fund If You Follow The Given
Instructions. Everything Concerning This Transaction Shall Be Carried
Out Legally So There's Nothing To Worry About.
If You Are Ready To Claim Your Overdue Payment, Please Indicate Your
Interest For Us To Proceed With Our Arrangements By Reconfirming To Us=
Your Full Name:
Delivery Address:
Phone Number:
Government Issued ID:
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
U.S. Department Of
Homeland Security,
Washington DC
homeland_department@aol.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
