|
|
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:
- "million us 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- dianalewis2010@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Diana Lewis <dianalewis01234@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 08:15:40 +0000
Subject: Message from Mrs.Diana H.Lewis !!!
My
name is Mrs.Diana H.Lewis from United States of America.I am suffering
from vaginal cancer for 3 years now and my husband Ben Lewis was the
Director of TC Industries before he died last year in an auto accident. I
am the next of kin to all my husband's asset but now my husband's
brothers and sisters with the family are fighting to take away all the
fortunes I inherited from my late husband.
I am contacting you now to help me secure the huge sum of $25M
(Twenty Five Million US Dollars only) that I inherited. I want you to
assist me secure this fund in your bank account till when I will come
and meet you in your country . The fund is deposited in a finance
company in safe location, which I will tell you once I confirm your
honest willingness to assist me secure this fund.
I do not know you before but I found your email in my earnest search
for a trust-worthy person to secure this fund and I decided to contact
you. I am contacting you at this my most difficult time of need because
this people are determined to take away my fortune. I am also ready to
compensate you with 20% of this fund for securing this fund for me.
I will tell you more details about this matter once I hear from you.
Please,
I do not want to have any telephone talks with you because my husband's
family are always around me but will give you the direct contact of the
finance company where the fund is deposited.
Always reply to this my private email: dianalewis2010@aol.com
Yours Sister
Mrs. Diana H Lewis.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
