|
|
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 us 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Madam Chara Eunike" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <agricdb@blumail.org>
Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2011 10:25:29 -0500
Subject: Account!
I am Mrs. Chara Eunike and I have been suffering from ovarian cancer disease and
the doctor says that I have just two days to leave. I am from (eastern Province)
Russian but base in Africa Ghana since eight years ago as a business woman
dealing with gold exportation.
Now that I am about to end the race like this, without any family members and no
child. I have $3Million US Dollars in (Eco bank) Accra Ghana which I instructed
the bank to give it to St Andrews Missionary Home in Accra Ghana.
But my mind is not at rest because I am writing this letter now through the help
of my computer beside me sick bed. I also have $4.5Million US Dollars at
Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) Accra Ghana here in Ghana and I instructed
the bank to transfer the money to the foreigner that will apply to the bank
after I have gone that they should release the fund to you, but you will assure
me that you will take 50% of the money and give 50% to the motherless baby
homes, charity homes. In your country for my heart to rest.
YOU ARE TO CONTACT THE BANK THROUGH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS
(agricdb@blumail.org)
Director of Remittance Dept.
Mr. Davis James.
FAO: Agricultural Development Bank
Corporate & Customer Relations
ADB House
Independence Avenue
P O Box 11792
Accra – North
Ghana. West Africa.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
