|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- 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.
- dr_salamiandfamily2011@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: DR SALAMI HASSAN <dr_salamiandfamily2011@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 01:30:33 +0900
Subject: Dear Friend indeed___FROM DR SALAMI HASSAN
Dear Friend indeed
Date:23-05-2012
I am DR SALAMI HASSAN, a retired banker from republic of togo and i want to transfer the sum of $5.5 million dollars to your country, can you help me to receive this fund for investment?
The Late owner of the fund is ( MR MOSES) from your country. This man died since 2001 in america and i do not know where and how to contact his family , that is why i decided to search through facebook before i got your contact address.
I am contacting you because you are bearing the same last name with the late fund owner above. this transfer is 100% risk free and the fund is going to arrive to your account within the next 10 working days as soon as i hear from you.
If you know that you can receive this fund with trust then reply back and send me your information below
YOUR NAME
YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER
YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.
Reply back and try to use this my private email address to reach me: dr_salamiandfamily2011@yahoo.com
You have to keep this transaction as a top confidential until the fund enters into your account then i will come to meet you in your country.
As soon as i hear from you then i shall explain clearly on when and how this fund is going to transfer to your counry.
Reply fast,FROM DR SALAMI HASSAN
|
Anti-fraud resources:
