419 scam: "Mr.El Ibrahim" <mr.elibrahm@yahoo.com.hk> N/Ahnson@google.com> Google 11th AnniversaryAwards,Œë¸"

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million pounds" (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)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.
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.
- mr.elibrahim@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.El Ibrahim" <mr.elibrahm@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: mr_elibrahim@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:58:28 +0700
Subject: N/A

Dear Blessed One,

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone
will die someday. My name is Mr. El Ibrahim a merchant in Tunisa and Dubai.I have been
diagnosed with Esophageal cancer.It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and
right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts.
Presently, Im in a hospital here in Hong Kong where I have been undergoing treatment.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not
even myself) but my business.

Though I am very rich, I was never generous,I was always hostile to people and only
focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for.

But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to
have or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to
come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it.

Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to
my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends. I want God to
be merciful to me and accept my soul so,I have decided to give also to charity
organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I
have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria, Malaysia
and some countries in Africa. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do
this myself anymore.

I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money
which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and
kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to
be contended with what I have left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of 7.5 Million
Pounds (Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Pounds) that I have with a Security Company
abroad.

I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity
organizations. I have set aside 10% for you, your time and also any expenses incured
during this Great task.

Please send all response to my private email: mr.elibrahim@yahoo.com.hk
God be with you.

Mr.El Ibrahim

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam