|
|
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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Xian Soh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <xiansoh@excite.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:13:28 +0800
Subject: Urgent
Hello,
I am Barr. Xian Soh, I solicit for your kind attention to assist me retrieve (USD$6.2 Million) belonging to my late client from the Security Company before they will declare it as abandoned and revert it to government account.
I cannot operate this alone without using a Foreigner who will act as a relative to my late client. I was mandated by the Security Company to provide the next of kin to my late client. I will advise you to keep this transaction secret to yourself alone. If you are interested to assist me urgently send to me the below information for submission to the bank for immediate proceeding and processing of the transfer of the fund to you. After successful claims of the fund, you and i will share the funds 60% for me and 40% for you.
I guarantee you that this is legitimate and 100% risk free. If you are interested please send the information below for processing of the transfer of the fund to you as the next of kin to my late client.
1. Your Full Names: ________
2. Address: ______
3. Occupation: __________
4. Age: _________
5. Country:___________
6. Telephone: ___________
Please reply me immediately as i await your prompt response.
Barr. Xian Soh.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
