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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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 "dying widow" scam.
- 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.
- diana.brown01@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Diana Brown" <info@dianabrown.org>
Reply-To: diana.brown01@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:39:38 -0200
Subject: Shallow
Dear Friend,
I want you to pray for me. For the sake of my health,
I was about setting up a charity foundation, But due to my health problem i
would need your Assistance.
I am Diana Brown.A 69 years widow suffering from
cancer Ailments. And the Doctor has informed me that i has
limited days just for my cancer problem.
My late husband is Mr.Nicholas Davids a Real Estate Brocher and Gold
Merchant But before the death of my husband we were married for
32 years without any child. So we both decide to Build an Orphanage home.
And accommodate the children without parents.
When my late husband was alive he has a deposit with the sum
of($5.8 Million Dollars) with the Bank and he intend to use
this money for charity organization.Since we were unable to get any child,
But now i have decided to WILL/DONATE this funds to the charity organizations
And I want you to help me do charity work to assist the children without
parents, widows,disableds and the poor once
If you know you are ready to be faithful and willing to help me do
charity work.
Then kindly get back to me. Through My Private Email :
diana.brown01@hotmail.com And Send the Following Information's to me for
further details.
(1)Names:
(2)Nationality:
(3)Country Of Resident:
(4)Age:
(5)Sex:
(6)Marital Status:
(7)Occupation:
(8)Your Home Address:
(9)Office Address:
Thanks And Be Bless
Yours Faithfully
Diana Brown
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