|
|
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:
- "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "abidjan" (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: "pattugalan" <gloria26@megamail.pt>
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 12:20:16 +0100 (WEST)
Subject: Very Urgent From Ms.Gloria.
Very Urgent From Ms.Gloria.
My name is Ms.Gloria Pattugalan, from Ivory Coast in West Africa . I am the
only daughter of Late Judge Nathaniel Pattugalan being that we lost our
parents a couple of years ago,Pls we want you to handle the sum of $3Million
for us which our late father deposited in one of the bank here in Abidjan.
Please, we soliciting for your assistance to help me and my little Brother
Peter transfer the money into your account for an investment purpose over
there in your country. We hope to travel with you to your country after a
successful transfer of this money. The contact of the bank will be given to
you as soon as you show your interest and willingness to us. You can now
instruct them on where and how the money will be transferred.
We are offering you 10% of the total sum as commission for your assistance to
transfer the money to your country. May I strongly re-emphasise that this
transaction is highly confidential, hitch free and this will be successfully
concluded within 10 days according to your willingness. I look forward to hear
from you soon. If your interested kindly reply us fast for more details.
Thank you and God bless you.
Yours Sincerely.
Ms.Gloria /Peter Pattugalan.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
