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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:
- 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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- 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.
- suhaarafatahwa@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Suha Tawil Arafat" <conselhotutelar@cambe.pr.gov.br>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Suha Tawil Arafat" <suhaarafatahwa@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 05:33:01 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Funds Investment and Management
Dear Sir/Madam,
RE: Funds Investment and Management Placement of USD65 Million.
Please permit me your indulgence as I use this medium to contact you. My name is MRS. SUHA TAWIL ARAFAT, the wife of YASSER ARAFAT, the formal Palestinian leader who died in Paris. I got your contact information through international business directory having resolved to investment my estate under your professional management in long-term business venture in your country.
The sum of $65,000.000.00 USD has been deposited with investment bank in the Netherlands for reinvestment purpose if you are willing to stand, represent my investment interest and capable of receiving my daughter afterward. The reinvestment fund shall be used in a long-term portfolio management using my daughter name (Miss. Zahwa)
You will be required to;
[1]. Receive the funds
[2]. Invest and Manage the funds profitably
I am willing to offer you 30% as starting or management sharing ratio after your acceptance and trust to manage the legacy that has been bequeathed by my late husband. And all legal requirements that will perfect the legality and movement of the fund shall or will be duly obtained by my attorney in the appropriate departments in due course. As I expect to hear from you urgently as this is a high priority Investment Placement and kindly send your information to enhance communication.
I will greatly appreciate if you could expedite your respond through (suhaarafatahwa@aol.com).
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Suha Tawil Arafat
Email: suhaarafatahwa@aol.com
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