|
|
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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Cliff Hill" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cliffhill133@yahoo.es>
Date: Sat, 11 May 2013 07:46:53 -0700
Subject: Investment Partnership
Hello,
Good day and compliments of today. I am here to inform you that i will need your noble co-operation for an
investment project in your country. I have some substantial fund for investments and i will like you to assist me
in your country to invest my fund in any lucrative profitable business for the mutual benefit of both of us.
Finally, i will give you more details as soon as i receive your honest request in other to assist me in
partnership of the investment projects in your country.
Best Regards,
Mr Cliff Hill
|
Anti-fraud resources:
