|
|
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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million american 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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: "lanta_k@cantv.net" <lanta_k@cantv.net>
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:07:17 -0430
Subject: FROM MISS LANTA TIMAKE
I AM MISS LANTA TIMAKE FROM IVORY COAST THE
DAUGHTER OF MR AND MRS TIMAKE AND I AM CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE I
NEED YOUR HELP IN THE MANAGEMENT OF A SUM OF MONEY THAT MY LATE FATHER
LEFT FOR ME BEFORE HE DIED.THIS MONEY IS 15 MILLION AMERICAN DOLLARS(
$15M USD)AND THE MONEY IS IN A BANK HERE IN ABIDJAN.
MY DADD WORKED WITH A LEADING OIL COMPANY AND ALSO A
POLITICIAN HERE IN MY COUNTRY AND HE DIED IN AUTO ACCIDENT AND
NOW I WANT YOU TO STAND AS MY GUIDIAN AND APPOINTED BENEFICIARY TO
RECEIVE MY FUND INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT SINCE I AM ONLY 20 YEARS
AND WITHOUT MOTHER OR FATHER.
I WILL OFFER YOU %30 OF
THE TOTALL AMOUNT FOR HELPING ME TO RECIEVE MY FUND.
PLEASE I
WILL LIKE YOU TO REPLY TO THIS EMAIL SO THAT I WILL TELL YOU ALL THE
INFORMATION SO THAT MY FUND WILL BE TRNSFER INTO YOUR ACCOUNT SO THAT
YOU WILL GET ME PAPERS TO TRAVEL TO YOUR COUNTRY TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION
THERE WHILE YOU HELP ME INVEST MY MONEY UNTIL I FINISH MY EDUCATION.I AM
WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT REPLY AND I WILL CALL YOU AS SOON AS I HEAR FROM
YOU.
THANKS FROM MISS LANTA TIMAKE
LANTA
TIMAKE. | | |
|
Anti-fraud resources:
