|
|
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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
- "sahuarafat@msn.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Sahu Arafat" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sahuArafat@msn.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:51:29 -0400
Subject: Please Treat As Urgent
Dear Friend
I am Mrs, Sahu Arafat, A widow of 58 yrs old suffering from cancer of
the breast, As a matter of fact, my late husband willed to me in
cash; the sum of (US$10,500.000.00 Million Dollars) I decided to
contact you for the usage of the funds in the expansion and
advancement of humanitarian services. The money was deposited with a
Financial Institution in Europe. I need you to tell me about you in brief.
Kindly feed me back with the following required information to enable
my Lawyer/representative feed you with the next step receiving this
fund. God will bless you as you help me to
redeem this consignment from the Financial/Vault company for humanitarian
work and investment under your care and supervision.
{1} Name:
{2} Address:
{3} Age:
{4} Telephone:
{5} Occupation:
Regards.
Mrs. Sahu Arafat.
Send details here (sahuArafat@msn.com)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
