|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 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.
- lisa.bernard48@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mary Bernard <bmary1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: bmary58@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 04:37:41 -0500
Subject: thank you
I am writing from the hospital, therefore this mail is very urgent as
you can see that I am going home. I was told by the doctor that I was
poisoned and has got my liver damaged and can only live for some
months. I inherited some money ($5.5 Million) from my late father and
I cannot think of anybody trying to kill me apart from my step mother
in order to inherit the money. I want you to know that i am in pains,
and all I am worried about is my adopted daughter lisa, why because I
do not want her to suffer if I do not survive this present condition
that is why I am seeking for your assistance for her safety and well
being, she is only 15 years. I promised to take good care of her and
make her become grate in life but the wicked people in this world my
step mother have poisoned me because of my inheritance so please you
have to sincerely help me. I will be going in for the operation in few
days so please pray for me for my survival but on the other hand in
case of anything all I need is your sincere assistance and l need
financial help from you because I do not have enough. but life comes
from the Most High God.
I want you to contact my daughter Lisa with this information below:
Name:Miss Lisa Bernard
Email:lisa.bernard48@yahoo.com
This is the favor I need when you have gotten the money:-
(1) My beloved daughter Lisa should be given 30% I want you to take
Her along with you to your country and establish her
(2) Give 20% of the money to Charity Organizations and Churches on
my Name so that my soul may rest in peace. If I don't hear from you
within two days, I will look for another person. May God bless you and
use you to accomplish my wish.
Pray for me always
ms Mary Bernard
Thank you Holy Father
|
Anti-fraud resources:
