|
|
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:
- "doarmstrong@gmx.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: "Dorothy Armstrong" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dorothyar@gmx.com>
Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 00:24:11 +0100
Subject: email me please
Dear Beloved
I am sending you this mail in good faith. I am Dorothy Armstrong, an America citizen currently undergoing medical treatment for cancer. My late
husband was a contractor with the United Kingdom consulate for many years before he died in 2002. We had an account with a financial institution in
Europe where we deposited all our assets and life savings worth (US$6.5M) for a fixed period. I have just been informed by my doctor that I only
have few months to leave due to the cancer illness.
Having known my condition that will not allow me claim the funds personally; I have decided to nominate you as my beneficiary since the
financial institution have now written me that the length of time agreed upon to hold my funds is now expired. My desire and purpose is for you to
promote humanitarian works. I.e. assisting the less privileged and building orphanage homes in your country and to upset my medical bills.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly. I encourage you to email me (doarmstrong@gmx.com) for more information.
In His Arms.
Mrs. Dorothy Armstrong
|
Anti-fraud resources:
