|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: barakisa fanta <barakisafanta@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:01:35 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: We will discuss more when I hear from you.
Hello,
My name is Barakisa Fanta adopted daughter of Late Mr WANLOR of cote d'ivoire
Please I need your assistance to secure the sum of $6,300,000.00 (Six Million, Three Hundred Thousand united state Dollars) which he willed to me before his death as his adopted daughter.
What I need from you is to provide account where to transfer this fund and to invest it for me in your country while I further my education because the wife of Late Mr. WANLOR is not happy about the money I inherited from the family due to religion differences,therefore I need to transfer it out of here as fast as possible.
I will offer you 20% of the total money for providing account and assistance
and 40% of any profit made out of the money when invested in your country.
We will discuss more when I hear from you.
Regards I Will Send You My Pic When I Hear From You.
BARAKISA FANTA.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
