|
|
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:
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business" (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: Anita Doro <anitadoro02@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: anitadoro1@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:33:26 +0200
Subject: My Dear Greetings to you.
My Dear Greetings to you.
I know you will be surprise to receive my mail since we have neither
seen nor met before. Well. i am writing this mail to you with tears
and sorrow from my heart.With due respect trust and humanity. i appeal
to you to exercise a little patience and read through my letter i feel
quite safe dealing with you in this important business. It's just my
urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this
transaction.I need your urgent assistance in transferring some amount
of money to your account for an investment purpose in your country or
any part of the world you may deem wise. I will send you full details
of this transaction as soon I hear from you.Also note that you are
entitle to receive 20% of the amount involved if you agree to accept
my request. Reply me back for more clarification.
Best Regard
Miss Anita Doro.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
