|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "transferred into your bank account" (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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- barikelsamson@laposte.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: DR Barikiel Sam <wamaafrica4@adinet.com.uy>
Reply-To: barikelsamson@laposte.net
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2013 19:24:45 -0200 (UYST)
Subject:
>From Mr. Barikiel Samson
(auditor manager)
Coris Bank International
Attention Please,
I am Mr. Barikiel Samson, auditor manager Coris Bank International. It is my urgent need for a foreign partner that made me to contact you for this transaction. I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of (US$14.200.000.00) into your account.
I want you to assist me claiming the fund as it will be shared between us in the ratio of 60/40. I agree to offer you 40% share of the total funds for your cooperation on this transaction and I want to assure you that this transaction is legal and risk free and i have all the necessary document and complete information about the fund. I would like to know your ability to handle this transaction. Please tell me more about the political/economic stability/monetary policy of your country. I feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business having gone through your remarkable profile. Please keep this transaction as top secret to yourself.
Moreover, I want to reassure you that I have perfected plan for smooth transfer of the fund into your account and i will be coming over to meet you as soon as the fund is transferred into your bank account.
More details will be given to you upon affirmation of your interest to participate. Please contact me immediately through my private email address: barikelsamson@laposte.net
Thank you,
Mr. Barikiel Samson
|
Anti-fraud resources:
