|
|
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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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 Benjamin <joelawrence232@gmail.com>
Reply-To: benjaminedword38@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2022 19:06:14 +0100
Subject: Attention dear beneficiary
--
935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, DC.
ATTENTION DEAR BENEFICIARY.
I am Benjamin the FBI Agent , i want to inform you that
the US Government through US Financial Enforcement
Network ( FINCEN ) a bureau of the United States Department of the
Treasury that collects and analyzes information about
financial transactions in order to combat domestic and international
money laundering, terrorist financing have approved the
release of your only compensation funds worth $5.5 million after
several years of seizing the payment files
as a result of too much fraud in the last decade.
I know you must have been contacted by so many people concerning this
fund but please don't fall victim again because they don't have
anything for
you, probably they knew about it and want to or have
taken the advantage to extort from you.
However, anti terrorist clearance certificate is required to guide
and show that the fund is no way related to fraud or drug
money and it will cost $100 to obtain/ sign and stamp. Therefore,
treat this as matter of urgency so you can receive your
total funds worth $5.5 million ( Five million five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ). Please fill the below information for
reconfirmation;
Full Name...............
Complete Address..........
Date of birth........
Next of kin...........
Any form of valid identification........
Occupation........
Thanks.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
