|
|
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: "Mrs Lero Mariam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <leromariammama@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:40:05 +0800
Subject: HELLO
My dear,
I'm sorry to bother you today. My name is Lero Mariam and I'm currently admitted in the hospital due to my cancer and my doctor told me that I can die anytime less three months time. Accepting this fact, I decided to embark on a fight against this dreaded disease. As my treatments are going on, I seek a friend who can take up this challenge as my health is failing me. I have be wanting to start this project but it has not been a huge success because of my present state.
I would like to leave my life savings for an outstanding individual who can set up this foundation in any choice location.
The location of this charity is not a problem for me as long as it affects the lives of the suffering people positively.
The amount in question is about three million US dollars in the bank as well as my securities whose present values have not been evaluated.
If you are willing to take up this challenge to put smiles on the faces of the suffering people and above all restore hope in their lives. You will keep thirty percent of my estate.
Just send me an email back indicating interest and we shall take it up from there.
I don't have relatives that I can count on for this project. It is said that the angel you know is worse than the devil you don't know. I will provide you with detailed information once you show your willinness.
Please ignore if you are not interested in the project.
Mrs Mariam
|
Anti-fraud resources:
