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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- jwilfredm@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Adams Williams" <mrs_sandrathomas1919@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: jwilfredm@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:53:35 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Dear Friend call this Telephone: +229 98947494
Dea r Friend
I am Dr. Adams Williams the person that contacted you a year ago regarding moving of some Fund into your Country but out of fear you were unable to handle the transaction with me then. In this regards I am happy to inform you I have succeeded getting that fund transferred with the help of a new partner from china.
I have not forget your past effort & contributions then though I understand that it was out of fear you were unable to handle the transaction with me then.
Nevertheless my Bank have Issued an ATM Card total amount of USD$1.2 Million for your compensation.
Dear you should contact my Secretary in Benin Republic Mr. James Wilfred on the information below and receive your Certified ATM Card from him:
Name Mr. James Wilfred
E-mail :(jwilfredm@yahoo.fr)
Telephone: +229 98947494
send him the following information to prove your self to him:
Your full name;...........
Your country:...............
Your address:..............
Your phone number:.........
Your occupation:...........
Your age:..................
note also that I will not be reached by email or phone for now because I am currently away for investment and I will be busy till about three or five months time.
Most importantly make sure you forward your full details to my secretary where he will deliver the ATM Card to you.
I wish you good luck.
sincerely yours,
Dr. Adams Williams
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