|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- jabirmichael@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Paul Gnrofoun <paulgnrofoun103@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:31:07 -0800
Subject: get back to me
Dear friend,
How are you today? I hereby inform you that a Family Estate Legacy of
(6.5million Dollars) belonging to Late Engineer Jorge Ershov, was
traced to your name. I am Honorable Jabir Michael a Legal Practitioner
in West Africa and I am to represent you in making the claims and have
the money transferred directly to you.
Urgently send me your phone number and your private email address for
more details and procedures to follow, as I await your immediate
response(jabirmichael@gmail.com).
Best regard
Yours faithfully,
Jabir Michael
|
Anti-fraud resources:
