|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Barr Ethan Makah <barrkenzunga77@yahoo.co.nz>
Reply-To: barrethanmakah@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 05:45:05 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Warm regards.
Warm regards.
Dear Friend.
I am Barr. Ethan Makah, I received a letter from a bank here requesting for the next of kin to my deceased client. The Letter stated that he have balance of $18.5Million usd in his account before his death. The bank is aware of his death. All efforts to get his family relatives have been abortive. I solicit that you allow me introduce you to the bank as his relative/partner based on the fact that you will work closely with me to achieve this success.
Reply me for further details on this tranaction. I have spoken with the bank manager on this matter extensively and he is waiting for your introduction to the bank according to his directives. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this dealt with. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law and will brief you on the details upon your response.
I wait for your urgent reply.
Kinds Regards,
Barr. Ethan Makah
|
Anti-fraud resources:
