|
|
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. )
- "anti-money laundering 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. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Andrew Motata <hesterleigh.annz@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Info@infoglobaloffice.com
Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2022 14:44:31 +0100
Subject: Hello
--
Hello,
This is to let you know that you have a pending transaction that needs to
be completed and finalized once and for all before the end of the month.
The amount involved is USD1,210,000.00million only. If you are still
interested and need your pending transaction to be completed, then indicate
how you will want it released to you through the following payout options.
1.} Bank cashier cheque delivered to your home=
2.} Online banking account in our chosen bank for you=
3.} Bank to bank wire transfers to your designated account=
4.} ATM swift-credit card delivery to your home=
5.} Diplomatic cash delivery to your home=
Note: Each option has a fee!
1.} Bank cashier cheque delivered to your home:= $70 only
2.} Online banking account in our chosen bank for you:= $95 only
3.} Bank to bank wire transfers to your designated account:= $185 only
4.} ATM swift-credit card delivery to your home:= $213 only
5.} Diplomatic "cash" delivery to your home:= $810 only
The fee to each payout option is for the issuance of an anti-money
laundering certificate and commencement of the clearance process for the
payout.
N/B: Claim not completed before the 30 day extended period will no longer
be accessible
Do not reply if you are not interested
Best regards,
Andrew Motata
UN House
Plot 617/618 Diplomatic Drive
Central Business Area
Abuja, Nigeria
ng.undp.org
“The Borgen Project" is a nonprofit organization working towards ending
Covid-19 through financial assistance to individuals with the aim of
assisting them to sustain economic growth
"The World Health Organization (WHO)" has been actively involved in
projects promoting health and safety and ending the covid-19 pandemic.
"The World Bank" provides loans and financial services and collaborates
with Governments to monitor and analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the
country’s socioeconomic health.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
