|
|
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:
- "death certificate" (this phrase is often used in inheritance scams such as next of kin or https://www.419scam.org/419-murdered-businessman.htm">orphan scams. )
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Sarah Kon <khanjoseph66@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Sarah Kon <skon44@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:08:37 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Miss Sarah Kon
Compliments
Please I saw your contact through facebook.Sincerely speaking the truth is that I am satisfy with your
profile.
I am 25 years old single girl from Liberia studying in Republic of Togo.My father was a wealthy merchant that deals on precious stone i.e
black diamond and gold and deposited the sum of Eight Million United States of American dollars only in a prime Bank here in Togo where he
made me his next of kin as only child.My mother died when I was three years old.Unfortunately my father died of Ebola Virus in Liberia when
he attended funeral of his sister not knowing that she contacted Ebola.
I have decided not to visit Liberia for fear of contacting Ebola Virus as the disease is spreading like wildfire,we are afraid that the
virus may hit Republic of Togo where I reside.Please I need your assistance to invest this money in your country of residence and assist me
secure a visa to come there whenever the money is transfer to enable me finish my education.You will take care of investing the money while
I continue with my education.I shall send you my photo when you show your willingness to assist me towards this noble transaction.Kindly
give me your telephone number or call me on my private number +228 97898719.
On the other hand I have gone to the bank to effect a change of ownership to my name after presenting certificate of Deposit handed over to
me,the bank said that I should provide a death certificate to enable them effect the change immediately at the same time asked me to get a
lawyer that will sign necessary documents as I am still a young girl.I cannot get death certificate because my father died far away
liberia,owing to this reason I contacted a lawyer here and he charged me three thousand dollars to get death certificate and sign other
documents on my behalf.This amount is too much for me as I am still a student.Please I would like you to assist me by sending a lawyer from
your country to help me here.After the transaction I shall give the lawyer one hundred thousand dollars from the money deposited in the
bank and 20% of the total sum as your commission for assisting me.If you show your willingness to assist me I shall forward to you
certificate of deposit handed over to me by my father before his death for perusal.This business is risk free as the bank can prove me
right.
I am obedient,respectful and humble.Looking forward to hearing from you soon
Wishing you Gods richest blessing
Sincerely
Miss Sarah Kon
|
Anti-fraud resources:
