|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "security keeping 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. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- contactminfo55@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Richard Wahl <info.ofice1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: contactminfo55@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2022 04:05:41 -0700
Subject: YOUR DONATION
Dear Friend,
I am Mr Richard Wahl the mega winner of $533M In Mega Millions
Jackpot, I'm donating to 5 random individuals if you get this email
then your email was selected after a spin ball. I have spread most of
my wealth over a number of charities and organizations. I have
voluntarily decided to donate the sum of $1 Million USD to you as one
of the selected 5, to verify my winnings please see my you tube
page below.
WATCH ME HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tne02ExNDrw
THIS IS YOUR DONATION CODE: [ 0043034]
Reply with the DONATION CODE to this security courier company email: (
contactminfo55@gmail.com ) and the only fee you will pay to the person
in charge is only $100 which is for security keeping fee before
releasing your money to you through ATM CARD which will enable you
make withdrawals from any ATM MACHINE,
Kindly reply to Edmond Yuen with this information,
YOUR FULL NAME AND
YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER
Contact person
Name: Mr.Edmond Yuen
Email: contactminfo55@gmail.com
Hope to make you and your family happy.
Regards
Mr Richard Wahl
|
Anti-fraud resources:
