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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:
- 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:
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Lars Vidic" <larsvidic@allmessagez.net>
Reply-To: <larsvidic@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 08:04:37 +0100
Subject: YOUR URGENT ASSISTANT IS NEEDED
Hello,
Greetings,I know It might be a surprise to you to receive this mail from a total Stranger like me. But please pay attention because this is an opportunity to that might not come our ways again.
My name is Lars Vidic,one of the special aide to the Late Polish president (Lech Kaczynski) who was killed in 10th of April 2010 plane crash. I have $60 million dollars that was putted under my care by the late president which i want to move out. I will discuss the rest of the details with you when i get a reply from you showing interest and willingness to accomodate this money and receive 40% of the total money as your own share. I wait for your response as soon as possible.
Lars Vidic.
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Anti-fraud resources: