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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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.
- 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)
- "keep this 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024069601 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- jonesdavidp2005@yahoo.com.cn (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "TOPOLO SAMSON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <toposamson2000@yahoo.cn>
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:28:01 -0800
Subject: GREETINGS
Dear Friend,
I am seeking your partnership for an investment abroad I am resprenting my boss client Chief James Ibori Ex-Governor of Delta State "The Rich Crude Oil Region of West Africa" I have a very sensitive and confidential brief from this top (oligarch) to ask for your partnership in re-profiling fund worth US$55.109M. This is a legitimate transaction; you will be paid 20% for your "management fees".
Source of Funds:
The fund derived from Crude Oil Lifted from his private Oil Well. During my client regime as a Sole Administration of the State, he handle a lot of Crude Oil dealings and along the line he was arrested and charge for misappropriation of funds and purchasing of a Private Jet and in two occasion his wife was arrested by the British Authority trying to divert some fund across the United Kingdom. His British Attorney in the person of Mr David Jones - can be contacted by you for clarification on (Email: jonesdavidp2005@yahoo.com.cn) Tel: +44 70240696011 As Chief James Ibori authorised the immediate move of the entire Fund out of England to avoid confiscation.
Your Role:
All I need from you is to stand as the beneficiary of the above quoted sum and all deposit documents will be made available in your favor which will enable the Bank - Agricultural Bank of China to hand over the entire deposit to you as the beneficiary. My client intends to use this sum to relocate abroad for a possible investment project after regaining his freedom.
If you are interested, please write back and provide me with your confidential telephone number and email address and I will provide further details and instructions. Please keep this confidential; we can't afford more political problems. Finally, please note that this must be concluded within two weeks.
Waiting your response,
Regards
Barrister. Topolo Samson
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