|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "million dollars" (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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Joseph Cole <soko.gambo38@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2014 16:31:42 +0100
Subject: Re: Your attention
From: Joseph Cole
Bills & Exchange Manager
HSBC HOLDINGS PLC
LONDON
UNITED KINGDOM
I am contacting you in regards to a business transfer of a huge sum of
money from a deceased account. I decided to contact you due to the
urgency of this transaction.
PROPOSITION;
I discovered an abandoned sum of 2.5 million dollars in an account
that belongs to one of our foreign customers who died along with his
entire family. Since his death, none of his relations has come forward
to lay claims to this money as the heir. The bank cannot release the
fund from his account unless someone applies for claim as the
next-of-kin to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidelines.
Upon this discovery, I now seek your permission to have you stand as a
next of kin to the deceased as all documentations will be carefully
worked out by an attorney that will be nominated for the fund
2.5Million dollars to be released in your favour as the beneficiary's
next of kin. Please acknowledge receipt of this message in acceptance
of our mutual business endeavor by furnishing me with the following;
Your name: .............................
Your country: ..........................
Your phone Number: ......................
Your Tel/fax: ............................
Your age: ................................
Your occupation: ......................
Photograph of yours with copy of your International Passport or
driver's license.............
Thank for your anticipated co-operation
These requirements will enable us file a letter of claim to the
appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your favor before
the transfer can be made. I shall be compensating you with 40% on
final conclusion of this project, while 50% will be for me and 10%
will be for our any expenses that may come up in the course of this
transaction. Your share stays with you while my own share shall be for
investment purposes in your country.
If this proposal is acceptable by you, do not take undue advantage of
the trust I have bestowed in you, I await your urgent response.
Best Regards,
Joseph Cole
Bill & Exchange Manager
|
Anti-fraud resources:
