|
|
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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "urgent assistance" (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: "Grant" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <miriamegrant@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 05:52:51 +0600
Subject: Miss Miriam Ella Grant a nationality of AUSTRALIA
Dearest one,
I am Miss Miriam Ella Grant a nationality of AUSTRALIA but resides in Accra until unfortunately a house ablaze which was plotted by enemies killed my
parents, Before this sudden death tragedy which came upon us, my parents had left some acquired reasonable sum of USD10.000.000.00 Ten Million US Dollars only Money and 50kg of Gold kept here in Accra-Ghana and ready to be shipped under the authorized license of my late father and all I am soliciting is for your urgent assistance to transport them out so that I can relocate to your country and join you for my safety before the people that killed my parents kill me too because their death after proper investigation was linked to have connection with my parents relatives and co workers who works in our mining company all
because the want to take over the company, may their rest in perfect peace.Amen.
?
?
I am soliciting for your full support and help to receive these funds and Gold to a safe account in your country or any safe custody as my legal
trustee and investor of the funds in overseas to avoid the people who killed my parents in Ghana snatch all from me because am leaving under fear
now and my parents are late.
?
?
I have plans now to continue my Education and do investment in your country, like real estate management which is under my studies in school.
?
?
Pls. contact me urgently for further details
May god bless you
Miss Miriam Ella Grant
telephone . 00233572027484 ,you can call me anytime.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
