|
|
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:
- "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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22540734866 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- mrs.samira01@hotmail.fr (Hotmail, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: mrs.samira01@hotmail.fr
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 22:21:05 +0800 (PHT)
Subject: Urgent Help Needed Please
THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU
Please forgive me if this message came to you as a surprise I was divinely
inspired to pick your name from the database search after series of
prayers and God's direction.
I am Mrs. Samira Kazim from the Republic of Sudan. I was a farmer
By profession. But I am currently undergoing medical treatment in the
United Nations Hospital I was married to Dr Jefferson Allan Kazim who was
a successful business man and later died of Haemorrhage of the brain after
a brief illness. We have been married for twenty years now with a son
called Jeff which is just 16years old.
My late husband deposited the sum of $8 million Dollars he was suppose to
use for cocoa and rubber importation out of the country to Asia and
European counties with a Diplomatic Shipping Security Company, here in
Abidjan Capital city of Cote D’Ivoire.
Last week, My Doctor told me that I would not live for the next two
Months due to my health (Cancer of the brain) and the death of my husband
all this put together made me seriously sick.
Now I want you to help me make claim of the fund because of my health and
also coupled with the political crises here in cote d’Ivoire when this
fund is been delivered to you I want you to take my son along with you so
that he can start is education and also plan a better future for him since
he is still very young ok. If you will be able to help me accomplish this
goal please I want you to get back to me with your information like:
1) YOUR FULL NAME AND YOUR AGE:
2) YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER AND ID CARD:
3) YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR OCCUPATION:
4) YOUR SEX AND YOUR PRIVATE E-MAIL ADDRESS:
Dear due to my illness the doctor advise me not to make or answer call for
the now so my son Jeff will be in a position to tell you little about this
transaction you can call him on (+22540734866 ) If you really want to help
us ok.
Waiting for your urgent response to my private email:
mrs.samira01@hotmail.fr
Thanks From
Mrs Samira and son Jeff Kazim.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
