|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "required 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. )
- "service 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. )
- "million united states 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.
- 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.
- tracyvornan78@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MRs. Tracy Vornan." <chukwudianselm2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tracyvornan78@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2022 15:57:48 -0800
Subject: GOOD DAY
--
From United States
Former Ambassador to the United States of America:
This is MRS.Tracy Vornan. the Former United States Ambassador to
united Nation, I came down here in united Nations meeting and I was
searching for some files that I left in this office before I left and
found out that you have not received your fund, and I asked the
present ambassador Mrs Lucy Tamlyn what happened that you have not
receive your fund since months ago, and she said that you refused to
pay the required fee for the delivery of your ATM CARD.
I'm contacting you this morning because the director of the ATM CARD
center here in united Nation said that they will divert your ATM CARD
to the Government Treasury just because that you cannot pay for the
service fee of your ATM CARD which is $500 only according to them. But
I told them to wait until I hear from you today So that I will know
the reason why you rejected such amount of money $50 Million United
States Dollars which will change your life just because of $500 only.
I want your urgent response as soon as you receive this email and
explain to me the reason why you have abandon your ATM CARD because of
$500 only But if you don't need it then I can change your name to
another person so that this Government will not claim this money but I
know that you will love to have it.
My dear I want to help you to receive this fund because it was a big
shock to me that you have not receive your ATM CARD and withdraw your
money since years ago you will receive your fund before the end of
this meeting.
So your urgent replay is highly needed, Via my Email
Address(tracyvornan78@gmail.com)
I wait to hear from you today.
Your Sincerely
MRs. Tracy Vornan.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
