|
|
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:
- "you will be entitled to 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.Alhaji Gulak " <info001345@seever493.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <alhaji.gulak002@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2013 23:45:25 +0530
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE
Good Day,
How are you doing and how is life with you am very sorry for disturbing you, I am writing you in regard of your assistant to help me receive a found which was given to me by Late President Nelson Mandela, I am Alhaji Ahmed Ali Gulak the special adviser to our grate and most honored father.
He left me with a good amount of money as a token to start up a better life for me and right now investigation is taking place and if they find out he left me with such money they will want to take it from me.
Please I would like you to assist me in this regard in receiving this money and you will be entitled to 30% of the money and you will help me to keep the rest till I make it to meet you, please if you can help me in this regard, please do get back to me with your full information in other to proceed with this transaction.
Thanks and Regards
|
Anti-fraud resources:
