|
|
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 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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "adrian kambida" <adriankambida0222@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: adriankambida16@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 19:58:50 +0200
Subject: BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
FROM ADRIAN KAMBIDA.
TEL: + 27- 83-472-9685
Attn:
Sir
CONFIDENTIAL
I know you will be surprise to receive this mail; I got
your contact through the net when I was searching a
reliable person who will assist my family out of this
predicament here in South Africa. I am ADRIAN KAMBIDA, a
son of a rich farmer in Zimbabwe Late Mr. PHILIP KAMBIDA.
My father was assassinated last two years in the war zone
area in Zimbabwe.
My mother and my two younger sisters are presently in South
Africa, where we were granted political asylum. I inherited
the sum of US$17.7 Million Dollars (SEVENTEEN MILLION
SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS) from my
father;these money has been successfully conveyed to me into
South-Africa and was deposited in private security and
finance company by my late father. I have every document to
this fund including my father's last WILL.
My reason for contacting you is that this country is know
longer a safe place for my family investment for the fear
of encountering the same experience of my late father in
future since the both countries has the same political
history and common boundary, based on this point we seek
for your assistance as a reliable partner to do this
Transaction with us abroad.
If you are interested in assisting us to invest this money
in your country or becoming my partner in business, please
try to contact me on the above number as soon as possible.
Endeavor to keep this transaction very private and
confidential, because it's my family lifetime future
investment.
What will be your percentage for assisting us?
Best Regard.
MR.ADRIAN KAMBIDA.
|
Anti-fraud resources: