|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: LAWYER MOHAMMED KAMARA <lawyermohammedkamara@gmx.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:38:02 -0500
Subject: ( BUSINESS PROPOSAL !!! )
Assalamu Alaikum!
Attention,
I am Lawyer Mohammed Kamara. I am contacting you on behalf of my late client Chief Abdul Alhassan. Before his death during his surgical operation in Brazil, He deposited the sum of 6,500,000.00 USD in the security company for foreign investment purpose for his only son Abdul Yoff to be invested for him to continue his education and have good life.
Having gone through a methodical search I decided to contact you hoping that you will find this proposal interesting to receive the funds for investment and invite Abdul Yoff to continue his education with you.
Please on your confirmation of this message and indicating your interest, I will upload your names to the documents and legalize you at the High Court in order to prove you the legitimate beneficiary of the funds. All I require now is your honest co-operation confidentiality and trusts to enable us see this transaction through.
Your assent to this e-mail and business proposal will be highly appreciated.
Best Regard
Lawyer. Mohammed Kamara
|
Anti-fraud resources:
