|
|
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:
- "million united states dollars" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: justice smith <justicesmith203@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jpmorgan1.morgan@yandex.com
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 17:15:27 +0100
Subject: FROM S.S.SULEMAN
Attn:Sir/Madam,
I am Mrs. Susan Smith Suleman from Syria.
Could you please as a matter of urgency be of help to my family in
taking custodian the sum of $10,000.000.00 (Ten Million United States
Dollars ) that was moved to QATAR out of Syria in the face of civil
war ravaging my country Syria. My Family hurried moved the fund out of
Syria to QATAR and right now we are seeking better safe-heaven to
secure the fund on investment purpose on-behalf of my family.
My husband died 7 Months ago as an army officer , presently there is
serious treat of life to my family, it has become very necessary and
crucial for us to secure the family future and to run out of Syria as
soon as possible.
My Family is willing to negotiate percentage compensation to you on
acceptance to help us and possible investment of the fund in your
country under your company/ supervision.
Regards,
Susan.S.Suleman
|
Anti-fraud resources:
