|
|
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:
- "million 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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "youcefyousfi75@24.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Youcef Yousfi" <youcefyousfi25@24.com>
Reply-To: youcefyousfi75@24.com
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:34:55 +0100 (CET)
Subject: GOD BLESS YOU
GOD BLESS YOU
My name is Youcef Yousfi from Dubai, 72 years old Man suffering from long
term illness I have some funds of the tune of (US$18,000.000.00 )
Eighteen Million United States Dollars and I need a very honest and God
fearing person from your country that will use the funds for God's work
and charitable funding, I found your email address and name from the
Internet and decided to contact you. Please if you know these Funds will
not be used for the purpose i stated, dont bother replying please.
I will send you the full details and more information about myself and the
funds.
Note that you'll be dearly and highly compensated
You can contact me via this Email Address: (youcefyousfi75@24.com)
Youcef Yousfi
|
Anti-fraud resources: