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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)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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.
- 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.
- williamsdominic205@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dominic Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamsdominic205@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:15:43 +0800
Subject: DEAR FRIEND.
Dear Friend,
I am Dominic Williams 31years. the first son of late Eric Williams the formal chairman of national diamond mining co-operation in sierra Leone who was killed during the crisis in my country.due to the persistence war in sierra Leone my family and i now move to Ghana to seek refuge.
While in Ghana,i came across your contact which iam very sure you can handle my problem.when my father was in office he deposited an amount of twenty nine million US dollars in a security and insurance company in Europe which you shall make contact with when the time comes, all document relating to this fund is presently under my care.
My problem is i and my family have decided to move out of Africa for settlement.and we needed your assistance by introducing us to a lucrative business investment as well as locating a residence that can contain family of four in your country.more importantly we needed you to accommodate this fund in your care abroad before our departure since we have no resident permit to open an account in your country.right now i and my mother and my kids sister are presently living the camp here in Ghana.And we have apply for the release of the consignment through a lawyer.
Upon your interest to help us we will send you all the document to you as soon as possible to enable verify and reach the security company on how best this money can be move out.main while you can reach me through my email (williamsdominic205@yahoo.com)
NOTE I have not told anyone except you.i will therefore want all my discussion with you in relating to this transaction to remain secret and confidential in order not to dent my image because of my father position in society.Main while 15% of the total sum is set aside for you, for your assistance why 5% is for any expenses inure during transaction.
Thank for your help,as i look forward to work with you.
Yours faithfully
Dominic Williams.
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