|
|
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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: bassey udoh <budoh1414@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 01:33:28 -0700
Subject: SHE NEEDS YOUR URGENT ASSISTANT ANS ATTENTION TO THIS"
Sir.Ma,
My name is Barrister Bassey Udoh Bassey lawyer to Mrs. Marian Abacha wife of the former late President General Sanni Abacha am writing you this letter for your urgent assistant for the claim of the sum amount of $25million that belongs to the late president deposited with a financial institution in her name by her late husband.
She really needs your help for the claim of the fund and according to her you promised to give you 25% of the fund if you can assist her in having the fund claimed. Although she is under security watch at the moment that disallowed her to communicate directly with you or travel outside the country. After the death of her husband most their properties were confiscated and left her develop sickness that she has been battling.
However as her lawyer whom she has confident on she mandated to source for a reliable person that can assist her. I will be glad you grant this request and send me your full name, country, age, occupation and cell phone number for further information of the location of the fund and how you are to assist in this matter.
Thanks,
Best Regard.
Barrister Bassey Udoh Bassey.
TREAT AS CONFIDENTIAL.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
