|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million 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)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" 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.
- patwanger1945@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- mrs. patricia wagner. email: patwanger1945@yahoo.com.hk endeavour to use it for the children of god. i am the above named person (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Patricia Wagner" (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 14:02:13 +0200
Subject: From: Mrs. Patricia Wagner.(REMINDER)
From: Mrs. Patricia Wagner.
Email: patwanger1945@yahoo.com.hk
ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
I am the above named person from Kuwait. I am married to Dr Shawn Wagner who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2005.We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of 18Million Dollars eighteen Million United State Dollars with one finance/security Company in Europe.
Upon your reply to this email, I will give more insight into how I propose this money to be spent,
I have set aside 20% for you and for your time and 10% for any expenses if there is any.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Mrs. Patricia Wagner
Note: reply Email patwanger1945@yahoo.com.hk
writepatwanger45@yahoo.com.hk
|
Anti-fraud resources:
