|
|
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:
- "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. )
- "clearance document" (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.
- 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.
- officef220@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.SCOOT FRANK" <jk5578814@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officef220@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2022 22:57:09 +0000
Subject: Attention. Beneficiary
--
Attention. Beneficiary
I write to finally inform you that your transaction is already in our
Central Funds Remittance System so do not delay in sending the US$50
and let the Funds Transfer Clearance Certificate be obtained on your
behalf from the office of the United States Terrorism and Financial
Intelligence and your funds valued at US$17.5 Million will be immediately
transferred into your account.
The US$50for the Funds Transfer Clearance Certificate should be sent
through Itunes, Google Play, or Amazon gift card to the United States
Terrorism and Financial Intelligence as instructed:
You should send the US$50 through the above-mentioned gift card as well.
I will advise you to send the money today and the clearance document
will be issued on your behalf and they will transfer your US$17.5
Million without delay,
You should send the payment picture of the US$50 once you purchase it
together with your re-confirmed banking information for transferring
your funds.
I look forward to hearing from you.
We can open an account in our bank upon your request and credit your
US$17.5 Million and give you the account details for your full operation
of your account.
Regards,
Mr.Scott Smith.
Email;(officef220@gmail.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
