|
|
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:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "million 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)
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: <dews1@terryray.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <ananaakwa1@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 07:33:48 +0100
Subject: Re
I am Mrs. Alivia Edwin the wife of Engr David Edwin a Syrian Industrialist and member of a Syrian business men In council Damascus. After the death of my husband, My family is under threat of President Bashar al-Assad for Resolute our support for a true Democratic Government in Syria that is why they killed my husband.
Due to the current President Bashar al-Assad protest in the country Many families are running for dear lives as Their soldiers are killing civilians, women and children. I want to bring to your notice that I have in my possession the sum of 24,000.000 million dollars. This is the money me and my husband have saved for our entire life as an Industrialist. I placed the money in trunk box and deposited it with the UN here in Damascus. My sincere intention in writing you is to gain your kind permission and acceptance to receive the money on my behalf in your Country and also make investment with it. For your permission and acceptance, I will give you 30% commission as well as buy the property from you.
I have to take this chance because I have no other alternative but to trust somebody. Am an orphan with no brother or sister so I can not risk my life here to avoid an end to my family lineage. as a woman since my husband is dead All I have is my two son. They deserve a decent life since I want them to grow up in a peaceful environment. I will relocate to your Country with my family and invest the money In accordance with law, your advice and assistance, we can work together and Achieve a better future for our families.
|
Anti-fraud resources: