|
|
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:
- "clearance document" (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. )
- "former president of liberia" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "EUNICE TAYLOR" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrstaylor009@googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:28:20 +0100
Subject: ASSISTANCE!!!!!!!
Dear,
I am the wife of the Former President of Liberia, Charles
Taylor and I have desire interest to be in a Joint
Venture/Investment Partner in your business in the area of
expansion of the capital base of your already existing
breeding business.
I would welcome your desired prompt response on this if
interested, so that we can communicate more on the nature of
the intended mutual partnership.
My Husband deposited 45Million Euro in cash with a
Security Firm in Europe which I have all the necessary
clearance Documents, but needed a foreigner to act on my
behalf to claim this money and invest it so that we
can be partners.
If you are interested,Then contact my son so that he can
direct you because all the related documents has been given
to him.
Have a bless day
Mrs Eunice Taylor
Former President of Liberia`s wife
|
Anti-fraud resources:
