|
|
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:
- "million us 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- frankroman319@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MR FRANK ROMAN <emenikejonathanosita@gmail.com>
Reply-To: frankroman319@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 18:28:17 -0700
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS
--
Welcome to HSBC Bank
From desk of FRANK ROMAN
Contact email: frankroman319@gmail.com
Attention My Dear Valued Customer.
Thank you for your email response with your information in order to
receive your COMPENSATION funds of $15.5 million us dollars. Be
informed that we have nabbed (Mr. Bruce J. Warren) & his acting
barrister immediately arrested for his criminal activities to take
your valued funds.
I will advise you to get back to us and indicate on how you wish to
receive your COMPENSATION funds of $15.5 million us dollars to enable
us proceed to release your funds to you.
Bank wire transfer
ATM Master CARD
Bank draft check
PayPal transfer
Bitcoin Wallet transfer
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Frank Roman
Contact email: frankroman319@gmail.com
Group Chief Financial Officer
HSBC Bank New York City, New York, USA
|
Anti-fraud resources: