|
|
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:
- "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)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "elaine wilson" <elainewilson001@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:07:55 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Re,
Greetings My Beloved,
Do you have time to do this for me ?
I beg you with the name of God reply me immediately as soon as I receive your reply I will forward your information’s to the bank to transfer the money to you Information’s ok my name is Mrs. Mrs. Elaine Wilson, I have been suffering from ovarian cancer disease and my doctor says that I have just few days to leave. I am 53 years from france, but based in Ivory Coast. I was married to Late Paul wilson, who was a contractor with the government of Cote D'Ivoire before he died after few days in the hospital.
I am a business woman dealing with cocoa exportation when my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $4.500 Million Dollars with a Bank in Coted ’lvoire. presently this money is still in the custody of the Bank here in Cote d’Ivoire
Please always pray for me soon I will be going for a heart operation. I pray and ask God for a divine favour I wish you the best of luck and a happy and
peaceful week.Please reply me for more deatils.
God bless you and your family.
Mrs. Elaine Wilson.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
