|
|
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:
- "million 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: International Monetary Fund <hdgs933@gmail.com>
Reply-To: 836383x@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2022 17:54:37 +0000
Subject: TREAT AS VERY URGENT!!!
--
International Monetary Fund/United Nations
Foreign Debt Settlement/Reconciliation
World Bank Headquarters
Dear Beneficiary,
On behalf of IMF headquarters, We are surprise to hear that you
declined our notification over your payment alert. This will be the
last time we will contact you if no response. Your compensation sum of
$2.5 Million dollars have been approved. For your information the IMF
and the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to pay victims this
Funds as compensation for the ongoing (COVID-19 Disaster Payment) as
a relief scheme. This is a result of adverse effect many got from the
over doses of Covid19 virus vaccine that endangered the life of so
many citizens globally. Your complete details is now needed to
commence transfer of your compensation fund through our affiliated
bank.
The needed details are listed below:
(1) Your given names and Surname
(2) Your contact home address:
(3) Mobile telephone number
(4) Your nationality
(5) Your email address , Age and Gender
(6) Your occupation and Position
(7) A scan of your International passport or your driver's license
for proof of identity
Attach below is the link for further details:
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/us-working-with-imf-to-provide-650-billion-in-currency-aid-to-countries-hit-by-pandemic.html
We urgently await your information's to enable you receive your compensation.
Yours Sincerely,
Kristalina Georgieva
Managing Director
International Monetary Fund
|
Anti-fraud resources:
