|
|
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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Margaret Sharpon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <margaretsharpon1122@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 20:06:59 +0100
Subject: Dear Beloved
Dear Beloved
I am Mrs. Margaret Sharpon a citizen of America but currently
residing in the United Kingdom. I was married to Late Farooq Sharpon of
blessed memory who was an oil explorer in Kuwait and Angola for twelve
years before he died in the year 2012. We were married for twelve
years without a child; he died after a brief illness that lasted for
only four days. Since his death I too have been battling with both
Cancer and fibroid problems. When my late Husband was alive he
deposited a substantial amount of money worth US$8.5Million with a bank in the
United Kingdom which I inherited after his death.
Recently, my doctor told me that I have only 2 month to live due to my
ailment. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to
either a charity/orphanage home or devoted Allah (God) fearing
individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct
therein. I want this organization or individual to use this money in
all sincerity to fund charity homes (motherless homes), orphanages,
and widows. I took this decision because I don’t have any child that
will inherit this money and my husbands relatives are into radical
organization and I don’t want a situation where this money will be
used in an unholy manner, hence the reasons for this bold decision.
Please, pray for me to recover as your prayers will go a long way in
uplifting my spirit.
I don’t need any telephone communication in this regard because of my
health condition which has seriously affected my speech and also
because of the presence of my husband’s relatives around me always. I
don’t want them to know about this development. As soon as I receive
your reply I shall give you further directives on what to do and how
to go about actualizing this project. I will also instruct my lawyer
to file an application on your behalf to the firm where the funds were
deposited for the transfer of the money to you for this purpose. I
want you to always pray for me. Any delay in your reply will give room
in sourcing for an organization or a devoted Individual for this same
purpose.
Until I hear from you by email; my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders.
Remain blessed,
Mrs.Margaret Sharpon
|
Anti-fraud resources:
