|
|
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:
- "hundred thousand american 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)
- "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cindyconte@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: cindy conte <cindyconte@live.com>
Reply-To: <cindyconte@ymail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2014 18:24:21 +0000
Subject: Hello My Friend.
Please Contact me at My Address cindyconte@ymail.com
Hello My Friend.
I am Cindy Conte, the only Daughter of late chief. Johnson Conte from Cote Ivoire .l am in Lome Togo presently just because of the problem in my country. I am writing you from Lome Togo where I have been taking refuge after the brutal war and Murder of my parents by the rebels during the renewed Fighting in my country. I am contacting you for your assistance to transfer my only Inheritance Money (M$ 4.700, 000.00) Four Million Seven Hundred Thousand American Dollars, which is currently in one of the financial institution, you will help me to start a new life and Continue my education over there.I am willing to offer you 20% percent from the total sum for your kind assistance. Send me information’s where this money will be transferred as the bankrequested. Your full names, house addresses and phone number.Yours SincerelyCindy Conte.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
