|
|
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.
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Louis Francois" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <louisfran2@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:17:33 +0100
Subject: Please Read.
Dear Sir,
I know this email will come to you in an odd manner as
you have not received any prior communication from me
before now. But be that as it may, my name is Mr. Louis
Francois and I was privileged to be the account officer
of my deceased client who lost his life sometime ago
In the process of review of the financial report by my
Bank, I discovered that you share the same last names
with him, hence I contacted you so that I can give you
further briefing on how you can stand as his next of
Kin in order that the estate he left behind will be
transferred to you for our mutual benefits instead of
being confiscated by the bank/Government.
I will most acknowledge your prompt response as that
Would enable us to start something immediately.
Please reply ASAP.
Sincerely,
Mr. Louis Francois
(Accounts Officer)
http://www.cmp-products.co.uk/contacts/browse.asp
|
Anti-fraud resources:
