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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: douglas <florenecambriaboc44@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officeb537@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:48:31 -0800
Subject: hello
--
This is Mr from the Homeland security agency, I am contacting you
regarding your $82:8million dollar consignment box that was given to
me and your (Car)for the federal government, this consignment box has
been here with me for a long time and a man named Mr.Frank came into
my office today morning and complained that you died in a car accident
and you gave him the power of attorney in the bed of the hospital to
claim these funds as his next of kin and wanting to pay for package
delivery which is a $100 card and i told him to come back tomorrow for
me to check if this is true or not so kindly contact me if You are
still alive
And also contact me with complete delivery information.
Your full name.....
Your full delivery address...
Your email address...........
Your phone number............
A copy of your identity
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Anti-fraud resources: