|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "% will be for you" (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)
- 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.
- john_patrick@terra.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: PATRICK JOHN <john_patrick@terra.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 01:05:09 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Thanks You Very Much!!!
 With due respect,
Forgive my indignation if this message comes to you as a surprise, I assured of your capability and reliability to champion this business opportunity. I am (Mr Patrick John) the Head of file Department in African development bank (A.D.B). In my department we discovered an abandoned sum of $15 million U.S.A dollars. In an account that belongs to one of our foreign customer who died along with all his family in the Asia Earth Quake Disaster and all the relation died along side leaving nobody behind for the claim.
I want you stand as next of kin to the deceased. I agree that 40% will be for you as foreign partner, and 60% for me. Upon receipt of your reply, I will send to you by email the text of the application which you will fill and send to bank. I will not fail to bring to your notice that this transaction is hitch free and that you should not entertain any atom of fear as all required arrangements have been made for the transfer.
I am waiting for your immediate response as you receive this mail.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Patrick John.
(FILL THIS FORM BELLOW AND RESEND IT TO ME.
1) Your Full Name....
2) Your Religion ......
3) Your Occupation...
4) Your Country.......
5) Your Cellphone Number....
6) Sex............
7) Marital Status......
You have to keep everything secret as to enable the transfer to move very smoothly in to the account you will prove to the bank. Reply back with this email ( john_patrick@terra.com ).
Telephone number +22664189002
|
Anti-fraud resources:
