|
|
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:
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Charles Toure" <charlestoure@avasmail.com.mv>
Reply-To: <charlestoure36@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:05:01 -0000
Subject: Hi
Hi
I am writing this letter with confidence believing that it is the wish of God for you to help me and my family, God almighty will bless and reward you abundantly and you would never regret this. I am a 20 years student from Cote D'ivoire University of Teachings Hospitals (CUTH) Cote D'ivoire, Abidjan.
My father died eight months ago and left me and my junior sister behind. He was a king which our town citizens titled him more than twenty-five years before our birth. I was a prince to him and my mother was not so literate enough to know my father's wealth fortunes. He left the sum of USD 4.000.000US dollars. In a bank
This money was annually paid into my late father’s account from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Chevron Oil Company annual revenue locality compensation of youth and community development under my father leadership. I don't know any profitable business fields in your country to invest the money so that my father's other kindred will not take over what belongs to us as heritage according to our African tradition.
Now, I urgently need your humble assistance as we wanted to transfer this money from the bank to your account that is why I felt happy when I saw your contact because I strongly believe that by the grace of God you will help me invest this money wisely. I am ready to pay 25% of the total amount to you if you can help us in this transaction and another 10% interest of annuals as Income to you especially for securing the transaction for us which you will strongly have absolute control over. If you can handle this project, in addition, note that this transaction is 100% risk free and I hope to commence the transaction as quick as possible Reply
Have a nice day altogether
Charle Thanks
|
Anti-fraud resources:
