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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "mr.collins Moris" <mr.collins_moris@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:51:04 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Awaiting your urgent reply
Good day My Dear.
Please do not be offended for receiving this email from mr.collins moris. I am the Chief secretary to the commissioner of works here in London, England. I have $10.5Million United State Dollars in a safe custody in abroad for investment and I secured this fund through the advantage of my position in the government. I am looking for a foreign partner who will be sincere with me as my partner, industrious in working with me and also capable in assisting me invest this fund into lucrative business ventures with little or no risk involved in his/her country or else where and still make good returns from the business in near
future.
This Investment project has to be done in a confidential manner to avoid jeopardizing my job, although I will be going on my retirement by first part of next year to join you on the project and I need this investment project to commence as soon as possible for the betterment of my retirement future.. If you are interested in assisting me as my partner on this project, get back to me as soon as possible to enable me give you more details.
Thank you.
My Regards,
mr.collins moris.
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Anti-fraud resources: