|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million pounds" (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)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrsbooyk001@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: smith karen <smith_karen_002@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 00:44:19 +0000
Subject: Partnership Request
Partnership Request,
I am Mrs Karen Smith , I am the General Auditor in E-bank Division of Barclays Bank Plc PLC, London branch. I have an urgent and very confidential business proportion for you containing GBP £ 28.7 Million pounds.
I got your contact from the World Trade Center Online Web directory, London and hoping that you will contact me at your earliest convenient for a possible business relationship.
I have determined to work this transaction with you based on trust but at the moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this business until your positive response is received.
Please take a moment of your time schedules to read it and contact me.
Thanks for your time and attention.
Mrs Karen Smith
Contact me via my private email
mrsbooyk001@yahoo.com.hk
Anti-fraud resources: