|
|
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:
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
- masonliam711@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Citibank <dhlunitedstatesoffice.net@gmail.com>
Reply-To: masonliam711@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 9 May 2022 12:07:52 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY
--
Attention:RE Final Credit of US$7.5M to Your Account Within 72 hrs
We write to notify you that we have received a pre-advice instruction
from World Bank to credit your nominated account with US$7.5M and
debit their coded a/c with our branch within 72hrs as your part
payment over due inheritance payment. This instruction was received
last Friday from world bank headquarters
Be informed that we will release the transfer upon the reconfirmation
of your bank details,
1. Your bank name and address
2. Your bank account number and account name
3. Bank Swift Code and Iban number
4. Your telephone number and current address
4 Our telex department will transfer the funds to your account and
4 send to you the telex confirmation slip for further confirmation with
your bank upon your response
Kindly contact Mr Mason Liam on email masonliam711@gmail.com via
WhatsApp +1(732) 695-4554
Cordially yours,
Best Regards,
Mr Mason
International Remittance Department united state of America Citibank Bank
|
Anti-fraud resources:
