|
|
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:
- "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. )
- "markluis@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. DANIEL BRIAN" <prueba@miduvi.gob.ec>
Reply-To: "markluis@live.com" <markluis@live.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:11:01 -0500 (ECT)
Subject: THANKS CONTACT HIM NOW FOR YOUR CHEQUE
Dear Friend,
I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with
the help of a new partner from Paraguay Mr Fernando Alvaro Gomez, Everything
was perfectly done,after striking a deal with one of the Lady Accountant
who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (F.M.F) and she rendered a
tremendous help to me.
In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the funds I
have decided to compensate you with the sum of $650,000,00. Six Hundred and
fifty Thousand United States Dollars in a Cashier's cheque. This is from my
own share I did this simply to show appreciation to you for your kind
support and assistance even though we could not succeed due to some
unforeseen circumstances and reason.
Presently I am in Paraguay for investment project with my own share under
the advice of my partner.Meanwhile I didn't forget your past efforts and
attempt s to assist me in transferring this funds despite the fact that we
could not succeed.
I will be sending you e-mail from time to time to know if you have received
your share or not. In the light of the above, you are therefore to contact
Mark Luis and do send him your contact address where you want the cheque to
be sent to you.His Email Address is: markluis@live.com
Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the
joy together after all the suffering at that time.In the moment I am very
busy here in Asuncion the capital city of Paraguay because of the investment
projects which the new partner and I are having at hand.So feel free to get
in touch with him to send the cheque to you without any delay.
With My Best Regards
Daniel Brian
|
Anti-fraud resources:
