|
|
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.
- 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.
- +2348058559199 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. PAUL FREEMAN" <freeman2000007@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: pfreeman1@latinmail.com
Date: Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:04:42 +0300
Subject: Permission To Transfer $35 Million Usd
Permission To Transfer $35 Million Usd
If with your permission,understanding and joint effort I can arrange for the
transfer of $35 Million Usd into your personal or co-operate account. This
transaction is legitimate and legal and hence you have no need to worry.
On acceptance of this offer please let me know so that i can furnish you with
more details on this issue. An early response to my mail will be
appreciated to
enable us open up communication towards the realization of this goal.
You may wonder how i got your contact to be able to have such trust on
you with
the huge amount in question, never mind on commencement of full communication,
we shall know each other very well,hoping that this is a life time chance that
can make both you and me to live well for the rest of our life.I shall be
looking forward to hearing from you.
God bless you and your family.
Regards
Paul Freeman
+234-8058-559199
|
Anti-fraud resources: