|
|
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)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Brice <braxe180@yahoo.cl>
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 13:51:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Benefiting message
Dear friend I am Mr.Axel Brice I am the auditing manager i one of the international bank here in my country. Although the world is very small place and hard place to met people because you don't know who to trust or believe, but I have developed my trust to you to confide this confidential business proposal. 3 years ago, most of the African Politicians used our bank to launder money overseas through the help of their Political advisers, Base on the fact that fund been deposited in our bank was much for the Politicians to control, as they are transferring the fund to overseas, i was able to divert ($15.2M) to an escrow account that belong to unknown person. I will give you full details of this transaction as soon as you confirm your readiness to assist me transfer the fund into your account. Thanks Mr. Axel Brice
|
Anti-fraud resources:
