|
|
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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Rachelle Math <desmondlouga7@gmail.com>
Reply-To: r.math2@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2014 14:04:12 +0000
Subject: HELLO
--
I greet you in the name of the Lord,
My name is Mrs.Rachelle Math.I am from Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) I
am writing you to request you to be my trustee and manage my fund
which I inherited from my late husband the sum of ($4,500,000.00) Four
million five hundred united states dollars,he die during the political
crises to later resulted in civil wars in the year 2011 which leads to
lost of lives and properties I am only left alone with my only
surviving son Mathew age 10 years old Please let me know your opinion
regarding this offer so that I can detail you accordingly to enable
you have access to the fund and receive it in your account for
investment while I continue my education under your care with hope
that you will not disappoint me.
I am willing to offer you 20% of the total sum as your commission for
helping me to receive the fund in a safe account.I am waiting to hear
from you.Best regards.
Your Sincere,
Rachelle Math.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
