|
|
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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Nelson Peter" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nelsonpeter44@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2011 09:06:25 -0800
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED
Good Day.
I am Nelson Peter a business man from Libyan I am writing you for assistance in helping me transfer my fund out of Libyan to your country and investing it there in your country with your partnership.
Due to the fighting of war and Arab revolution going on in Arab world today and on stable of the country and the war here that is the reason why I have to move my fund out of the country to a safer place were its can be Invest, I have lost all my property and investment here due to this War so this is the only thing I have left so that is why I have to be very careful to search for honest and reliable person who can help me.
If you are interested in assisting me please get back to me so that we discuses the percentage you will take for helping me receive the fund there in your country and Invest it.
I wait your urgent reply.
Best regards.
Nelson Peter.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
