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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a next of kin 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.
- chebetodinga@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- law. please get in touch with me through my email at chebetodinga@yahoo.com or chebetodinga@hotmail.com and send to me your most (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Chebet Odinga" <personalmail_01@yahoo.com.sg>
Reply-To: chebetodinga@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 01:29:13 +1000
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT MAIL, PLEASE READ AND RESPOND
Dear Sir,
I am sorry at the perceived confusion you may have by receiving this
letter from me since we have not previously met. To be precise I was a
private security adviser to the former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.
I was involved in the buying of some Arms and ammunition for the Former
President's Private Guard.
There was money mapped out by the former president of Egyptian President
Hosni Mubarak to buy ammunition to fight Rebels or any insurgence. This
money is in my possession right now. The sum of USD16 Million which was
meant for purchase of ammunition but was not used for that purpose as a
result of international pressure on Former president Hosni Mubarak to
relinquish power. Right now Hosni Mubarak have stepped down from power
for a new government. He is standing trial for various War Crime and other
related offenses that he has been accused of.
I am explaining the source of this money to you so that you will
understand the source of the USD16Million which I deem that it will be
good for me and you to invest this money in profitable business in your
country. That is why I am soliciting for a reliable and trustworthy
foreigner like you to help me accommodate this money in your account.
This money is deposited with a Trust company on my instruction through
diplomatic means in Europe. The document that is backing the deposit of
US$16million are currently with me as the private security adviser to the
former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak . "At this junction I can not
disclose the Trust company's name until you accept my proposal for
security reasons."
(1)What I need from you is to help me claim this money (USD16)MILLION)
from the Trust Company as my foreign partner
(2)You are entitled to 30% of the USD16 Million as your share for your
assistance.
(3) 5% will be map out for miscellaneous expenses during the transaction
(4) And 65% will be for me.
I have all necessary legal documents from the Trust company where I lodge
this money to back-up your claim for this money. All I require is your
Honest cooperation to enable this deal succeed. I guarantee that this will
be executed under a legitimate Arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the Law.
Please get in touch with me through my email at chebetodinga@yahoo.com or
chebetodinga@hotmail.com and send to me your most confidential Telephone
and fax numbers to enable us carry out this Transaction.
Best regards,
Mr. Chebet Odinga
chebetodinga@hotmail.com
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