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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million pounds" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447045741198 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- mr.robinsonoflondon@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Smith" <mr.robinsonoflondon@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 11:20:31 +0100
Subject: KINDLY REPLY
Greeting Dear,
My names are Mr.Smith Robinson, I am Staff head of computing department of a
bank here in United Kingdom . There is an account opened in this bank since
my Inception into office in 2004, nobody has operated on this account.I have
the courage to look for a reliable and honest person Who will be capable to
handle this transaction with me.
Again this £30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Pounds Sterling have to be
transfer urgently before it will be forfeited for nothing in this bank.
After we have succeeded in this transaction,you stand to get 45% of the
total sum while 5% will be for expenses that will be en cured during the
process of this transfer and the remaining 50% will be for me. Here is my
private email : mr.robinsonoflondon@yahoo.co.uk so reply this email.
I will fill you in with further details upon your reply, God bless you.
Thanks
Sincerely,
Mr.Smith Robinson
+44 7045741198
Anti-fraud resources: