|
|
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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Margreth Hudson <margreth.27@msn.com>
Reply-To: Margreth Hudson <margrethhudson@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2013 23:51:01 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Donation For Humanity From Mrs. Margreth Hudson !!!
My name is Mrs. Margreth Hudson a widow from Solomon Island currently hospitalized in a hospital as a result of brain cancer.Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to an individual or better still God fearing person.Â
My purpose of writing you is to offer you the money that I have in my private account in Abroad now that is clear that I’m approaching the last days of my life. I’m 70 year old and may not even need the money again for any thing. I’m offering you the sum of( $3.8m)Three million Eight hundred us dollars as a donation for the work of God and charity.When I hear from you, I will direct you on how to receive the money.
Please I will like you to send to me the following information:
Your Full Name.
Your Address
Your Telephone
Always pray for me
I will be waiting your quick response.
Mrs Margreth Hudson
|
Anti-fraud resources:
