|
|
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:
- 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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- 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.
- grgmax9@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Frank <rodemerrichard@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: grgmax9@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:47:33 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Happy Weekend to you
2/12/2010
Good day.
I would have written this mail earlier than now but I decided to wait till my dream comes true. I am highly happy to inform you that I have at last succeeded
in getting the fund through a Lebanese partner.
Frankly speaking I cannot hide my appreciation from you as regards to your
little confidentiality towards the successful conclusion of the transaction by that time. May be it was the way God wanted it. So considering the confidentiality you gave to the transaction then I cannot do without saying thank you. On this note, I today raised a Certified Bank Draft of Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only {$500,000} for you now with my Account Manager {George Max}.
Please kindly accept it as a token from me by contacting George Max Emu via his emails or his phone number: Meanwhile,I will be traveling to Vietnam tonight with my Family,I would have send the Bank Draft to you before my trip but I was in hurry travel.As i was given the Visa,Please Feel free to contact him on phone or Email him
His Name: George Max
Emails: grgmax9@gmail.com
Tell: +234-707-119-7477
My regards to your family.
Mr. Frank.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
