|
|
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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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: Curtis Peel <ozoozo467@gmail.com>
Reply-To: peelcurtis0@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2023 18:42:22 +0100
Subject: BMW PACKAGE DELIVERY!!!!
--
Hello, i'm Mr Curtis Peel The BMW Delivery Agent and I am written to inform you
about your BMW winning funds that brought by the United Embassy from
the government
of USA in the white house Washington DC The 3 BMW X6 jeeps and a check
of Ten million, five hundred thousand united states dollars ($10.5M
USD) Have Been Mandated
to be deliver to your address as soon as you get back to me with The Following
Your current home address……?
Your current phone number.......?
Your full name…………………?
Occupation...................?
Next of kin................?
Get back to me immediately let commerce your delivery as soon as possible.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
