|
|
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:
- "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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Reem Suliman" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <reemsuliman@rediffmail.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2012 15:01:43 +0200
Subject: Greetings to you and your family.
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE WILL OF GOD
Greetings to you and your family.
I am Sister Reem Suliman from Kuwait. I am married to Dr Ithiama Suliman
who worked with Kuwait embassy in cote d'ivoire for nine years before he
died in the year 2006.We were married for eleven years without a child. He
died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.
Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death I
decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which
the Bible is against.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum
of eighteen MILLION Dollars with one of the PRIVATE
SECURITY COMPANY here in Cote D Ivoire as Family Valuables.Presently,
this money is still with
the SECURITY COMPANY. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last
for the next three months due to my cancer problem.Though what disturbs me
most is my stroke Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund
to church or better still a Muslim, Christain ir an individual who will utilize this
money the way I am going to instruct here in.
I want a God fearing person who can use the fund to establish an orphanages and widows,
propagating the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is
maintained. The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand that
giveth. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will
inherit this money and my husband relatives are very dubbios and I don't
want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by people who does not deserve it. I don't
want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner. Hence
the reason for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I
know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bossom of the
Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall
hold my peace.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the
SECURITY COMPANY in Cote'd Ivoire.I will also introduce you to them
as my partner and the new beneficiary to the said fund.
I want you and your family to always pray for me because the lord is my
shephard. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian.
Who ever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and
truth.Please always be prayerful in your life. any delay in your
reply will give me room in searching for another individual
for this same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here in.
Hoping to hearing from you
Remain blessed..
Yours Sister
Reem Suliman
|
Anti-fraud resources:
