|
|
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:
- "million pounds" (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)
- "you will be given 30%" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Glen Brown" <glenbrown203@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrglenbrown2013@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 03:44:18 -0400
Subject: RELIABLE PARTNER From Glen Brown
Greetings,
I have interest of investing in your country as well as seek your
services in a private and confidential matter. I am a senior Auditor
heading computing department here in our bank. On my routine
inspection I discovered a dormant domiciliary account with a Balance
of (£5,000.000.00 Million Pounds}.
I write to seek your indulgence and assistance in transferring this
fund to your country through legal means as repartration of fund for
Investment. I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank
account of your choice in your country for investment. At the
conclusion of this transaction, you will be given 30% of the total
amount, 70% will be for me and my Bank colleagues who will help make
this business a success.
Let me know if you can handle it.
Regards,
Mr. Glen Brown
|
Anti-fraud resources:
