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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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.
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: JEAN EDO <edoj187@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jedo56@yahoo.com.ar
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2013 17:11:12 +0000
Subject: HAPPY NEW YEAR
Dear Sir/Ma,
How are you?
I am Mr. Jean EDO, from Togo. I know that this message might be
surprise information to you; it is for good and not for evil. I have a
very important thing which I want to discuss with you now concerning
my late client fund. I solicit for your kind attention to assist me
receive the sum of (USD$7Million) into your bank account. I got your
contact through a Global Network and I decided to communicate with you
in a good faith. I cannot operate it alone without using a Foreigner
who will act as a partner to my late client and legitimate beneficiary
to the fund due to my position. I was mandated by the bank to provide
the next of kin to inherit the fund. The bank has issued me a mandate
of 90 days to get my late client next of kin to inherit the fund and
that if I fail to get my late client next of kin to claim the money
that they will confiscate the whole fund as an unclaimed inheritance
fund after 90 days mandate. Now I solicit for your kind attention to
assist me as a partner to my late client that is my point for
contacting you so that the proceeds of the account will be paid to you
as my late client partner/next of kin for our mutual benefit. This
offer is honorable and must be taken very serious by you. Please I do
not need delay in executing this (deal) transaction, therefore to
enable me give you more information and the necessary steps or further
steps we are going to take and claim this fund legally without breach
of the law, therefore I need the following information from you; (1)
Your Full Names (2) Your Age (3) Your Mobile Telephone
Number (4)Your Country and (5)Your Occupation
Address. I am eagerly expecting your prompt answer. Thank you with
respect.
Best regards
Mr. Jean EDO.
Tel:+22892252943
Reply to my private email: je1956@t-online.de
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