|
|
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:
- "account in your country or any safer place" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Edward Hassan S <dr.hansscott@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 May 2016 03:58:43 -0700
Subject: Please save me!!!
Good day Sir/Ma,
I am Mr. Edward Hassan Siqcau from Libya. I lost my Father a couple
of months ago. My Father, Zaccari Siqcau was a serving director of the
Diamond Mining board until his untimely death in the hands of the
rebels. Before his death he had a foreign exchange deposit in a
private security house up to the tune of $18.5 Million in the name of
a foreign business partner as a proxy, which he told the bank that it
was for the importation of cocoa processing machine.
I want you to do me a favor as I want you to stand as my fathers
business partner to receive these funds to a safe account in your
country or any safer place as the beneficiary. I have plans to do
investment in your country and to further my education. This is my
reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist me,
indicate your interest in replying soonest.
I do not have any where to go as I am currently in Bujumbura UN refugee camp.
Thanks and best regards.
Edward Hassan S.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
