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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "martinez.sejas@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Martinez Sejas <grant674223@gmail.com>
Reply-To: martinez.sejas@outlook.com
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2015 11:14:22 +0100
Subject: Urgent Reply Needed
Dear Friend,
I am a lawyer here in UK, I need your assistance in the transfer of the
sum $13,500,000 left behind by my late Client who lost his life along with
his entire family in a motor accident.The fund must be transferred out of
the country before it is declared unserviceable by the government. Attempts
made to trace member of his family was unsuccessful. I will give you more
information upon your response to this proposal. Send your telephone number
or email me so that I can explain in details.
Please forward your response via; martinez.sejas@outlook.com
Best Regards,
Martinez Sejas
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Anti-fraud resources: