|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: DR MRS GRACE SMITH <mickdrinio@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 08:58:09 +0100
Subject: HELLO
DEAR FRIEND,
I WANT TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU FOR THE PAST EFFORT YOU MADE TO
SEE THAT I CLAIM MY INHERITED FUND FROM THE BANK. AND AGAIN TO INFORM YOU
THAT I HAVE FINALLY SUCCEEDED ON CLAIMING AND CASHING IT OUT LAST FRIDAY.
I AM IN LONDON NOW AS I AM WRITING TO YOU, AND WILL BE COMING BACK TO
SETTLE DOWN WITH MY FAMILY IMMEDIATELY I FINALIZE MY PURPOSE OF COMING OVER
HERE.
REGARDING YOUR SHARE OF THE MONEY, I LEFT A DRAFT CHEQUE OF
$3.360,000.00USD WITH MRS. VANESSA FREDRICK APART FROM HER OWN SHARE OF THE
FUND JUST AS WE ALL AGREED, AND THAT HE WILL BE GIVING TO YOU ONCE YOU
CONTACT HER. SO CONTACT HER IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR OWN CHEQUE AND INFORM ME
ONCE YOU CASH THE CHEQUE SO THAT I CAN THANK HER ONE MORE FOR HER POSITIVE
PARTICIPATION ON THE FUND'S RELEASE.
BELOW IS HER CONTACT INFORMATION IN CASE YOU ARE NO LONGER WITH IT. AND SHE
IS EXPECTING YOU TO FORWARD THE FOLLOWING DETAILS TO HER FOR THE SENDING OF
THE CHEQUE.
NAME: MRS VANESSA
EMAIL: venessafed@live.com
DETAILS NEEDED:
YOUR FULL
NAME:..............................................................
ADDRESS:...........................................................................
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER:.................................................
SEX......................................................................................
AND A COPY OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPH...............................
THANKS.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
