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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)
- "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: David Melcher <iinternationalmonetaryfunds81@gmail.com>
Reply-To: davidmelcher43@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2023 02:02:06 -0700
Subject: Attention
--
GOOD DAY DEAR BENEFICIARY.
THIS IS INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND(IMF financial office)
SCAM VICTIMS AND GLOBAL PANDEMIC AFFECTED COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Attention Dear Beneficiary
You Have been compensated by with the
Total sum of $32.5 Million dollars as a compensation on scam and
COVID-19 damages
We humbly request that you obey every necessary guidelines to enable
you to claim your fund without any further delay
The IMF Have taking full order to make sure that you received your
fund at the necessary time without been delayed
To protect you from fake agents and imposters we have to issue this
code to enable you recognize the right agency
This is your consignment code
Imf43589f3
This is delivery agent Mr David Melcher.
Thanks
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Anti-fraud resources: