|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "search for a trustworthy and honest person" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- 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.
- infoenquiry700@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "gfrank19@libero.it" <gfrank19@libero.it>
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 17:17:25 +0100 (CET)
Subject: INVESTMENT/BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL.
Attention:,
CAN YOU HANDLE THIS TRANSACTION
I want to drop you a quick note because I did not hear from you concerning the
information I sent you the other day. In case you did not receive the letter
introducing my intent.Internet would not have been the best way to reach you
but since this letter is highly confidential and the Internet seems to be the
most secured and fastest way of communication, I decided to reach you by this
means. Kindly note that this message is un-official and personal and as such
should be kept highly confidential so I plead with you to kindly keep it as
such.
I came across your contact via international personal research profile in my
earnest search for a trustworthy and honest person to handle a transaction with
my colleagues and I apologize if the content of the mail or method of approach
are contrary to your moral ethics, but I had to reach you through this medium.
After discussing my view and your profile with my colleagues,they were very
much satisfied and we decided to contact you immediately for this mutual
business relationship.I have a proposition and i will appreciate your utmost
confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished.
Now my questions are:
1. Can you handle a financial project of exceeding US$ 18.5m?
2. Can I give you this financial trust as a trustee/stake holder ?
It was God intervention to choose you when searching for a sincere person that
will assist me and my colleagues claim this fund which has been dormant in
escrow call account
Now I think everything is very clear.
We are only interested in getting this transaction successfully concluded. We
are not trying to be selfish or greedy since we know that we both have a role
to play in this transaction respectively.All we need is your maximum
cooperation and maturity to see that we finally smile together as one in few
days from now.
Please get back to me stating your position as this transaction requires
utmost sincerity and maturity from both parties.
Kindly confirm the mail and reply immediately to enable me draft an
application today so that by tomorrow you send the application which you will
retype and send it to the Bank for the approval of this fund into your personal
account
If you accept to work with me Send the followings for easy communication
Full Name:---------------
Contact Address:---------
Telephone Number:--------
Fax Number:--------------
Email Address:-----------
Occupation:--------------
Sex:---------------------
Age:---------------------
Marital Status:----------
Nationality:-------------
I will appreciate it very much. reply me so that we can go over the details.
Thank you in advance and May God bless you and your family.
Yours truly
Mr.George Frank
Your partnership is required urgently reply to my alternative e-mail
(infoenquiry700@yahoo.com)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
