|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Michael Alihandra <malihandra@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 09:56:00 +0000
Subject: BUSINESS OFFER
Dear Friend.
I am Michael Alihandra Branch Manager (Bank Of Ghana) here in Ghana. as
Manager to the head of operation and International Transfer. On December
1st 2011 while going through the files of our foreign customers we noticed
that one of our customer's account has been dormant for over years and when
we tried to contact the customer we were told that he died with the entire
family in a plane crash that happened in Libya May 12 2010. He stated his
wife as next of kin but unfortunately she is died also in the crash along
with the husband and 2 children.
ON Friday last week during meeting it was said that if nobody comes up as
next of kin that the money $2,475,000 USD(Two million Four hundred and
Seventy Five thousand United State dollars) will be confiscated and sent to
the national treasury. After meeting, my Director called me in the office
and asked me to look for a good man who will stand as next of kin or
beneficiary to the late customer Mr James King to avoid the money being
sent to the national treasury which will be benefited to the Royal family
alone. I have worked hard here and I have longed for a good retirement for
I and my family.
I decided to contact you to present you as the NEXT OF KIN or BENEFICIARY
to (DR JAMES KING) to enable you receive the money on our behalf. When you
receive the money I will come over to your Country for the sharing as
follows: 25% for me ,35% for you, and 40% for my Director
Be informed that all documents needed to make this transaction successful
are in my possession. All I need from you is to indicate your interest to
be the NEXT OF KIN to (DR JAMES KING) and i will present it to the bank.
This is 100% legit because I will introduce you to an Attorney who will
help facilitate transaction. I will stop here until I hear from you. PLEASE
KEEP THIS BUSINESS SECURED TO AVOID COMPLICATION which may mar or destroy
our plans. Also be informed that other higher people in the bank are also
on look out for whom to present to the bank. But my Director is in the
better position.
I will await your positive response. Remember to keep it official!!! Please
reply me via my private email: m_alihandra@outlook.com for confidential
reasons.
Yours Faithfully
Michael Alihandra.
m_alihandra@outlook.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
