|
|
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:
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Luther Massey" <nwaodunnamdipraise@gmail.com>
Reply-To: masseyluther837@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2023 00:20:23 -0700
Subject: URGENT REPLY
--
Good my fund owner
I want to use this medium to inform you that i came to your house to
deliver your fund worth of
$10 Million dollars Via ATM card but you were not around so i
decided to go back to the airport for security
reasons of your fund.
I want you to know that i am still waiting to hear from you because i
have been here in this airport
for three days now, You have to send $75 for transport fees so i can
come back to your house and deliver
your fund succesfully.
We want you to get back to us with the following details to avoid
wrong delivery okay:
Full Name:__________
Home address:_____
Age:________________
Occupation:_________
Phone number:______
Nearest airport:______
I await to hear from you ASAP.
Remember that you can send the $75 through gift card or let me know
the means you can send the fee because it is the
only delay right now okay.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
