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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Yao Charles Koffi <mrcheallsse2643@msn.com>
Reply-To: <gyao@kimo.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:44:34 +0000
Subject: Charles Koffi
Dear, Compliments of the day, I apologize if my mail infringes on your personal ethics and honestly it will be my humble pleasure if we can work together.
I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise but be rest assured that it is intended for the mutual good of us. However is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honor it against your will. I am Yao Charles Koffi, a first cousin of the deposed President of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo on behalf of our family we need your kind assistance to safe keep some funds which was deposited in a nearby country before the political crisis that lead to sacking of my uncle's regime.
Right now all relative of my senior Cousin is been targeted by the new regime lead by Mr. Alassane Ouattara, please we need your assistance to have this funds transferred in your name to avoid the goverment knowing about the funds if not it will be confiscated like my big cousin's frozen accounts in different parts of the world.
Right now I cannot move freely from where I am presently because we have been banned from travelling out of the country.
Please if can assist us to handle this transaction I propose to give you 30% of the total amount of the deposit and you will manage the remainder of 70% for us in viable investment after the funds transfer is completed in your name.
Your Sincerely
Yao Charles Koffi
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