|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "trunk box" (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: osoniyi anuoluwapo <anuoluwa_kemi@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:26:16 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: RE:
AM TRUSTING YOU!!
Dear Friend,
Please treat this mail as a matter of urgency.
I have just removed {$6.5 Million} United States Dollars from the Bank treasury {coffer} without the knowledge of anyone. Right now the {$6.5 Million} is laying low in a security company here in my country {LINK EXPRESS TRAVEL} where I personally deposited it as luggage. The fund is inside a sealed silver trunk box of about 925x820x850/2000 mm}.Note that the security company are not aware of this move, and they don't even have any slit knowledge that the luggage is containing fund because I deposited it as { UNITED NATION'S PROPERTY} And as you may know United Nation's Property can not be instect in any port of entry in the world}. As arranged with them, the fund will be conveyed to you through their Diplomatic measures, this of cause is the means which some of our Government officials uses to transfer stolen funds abroad without any stoppage in the port of entry provided all relevant back- up documents are in place. This of cause is the main reason why
I took such risk by removing the fund from the Bank coffer not minding my job or personality. I believe you will agree with me that if this fund is been transferred into your account, it will definitely raise alarm because your bank will be demanding for huge Tax and more importantly they may request you reveal the source of the fund and that may not be in our own good knowing fullywell that the fund does not belong to us.
Waiting for your own opinion as regards this deal.
Regards,
M.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
