|
|
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.
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Victor Miguel Esq" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <victormiguelesq@e1.ru>
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 19:32:28 -0000
Subject: Important info
Dear sir,
My name is Victor Miguel Esq., a legal practitioner based in Spain. I
am making this request in good faith believing you will reciprocate my
gesture. I wish to confide in you in an urgent matter that relates to
an abandoned fund deposited by my later client; Late Mr Theodor
before he death in 2006. I am actually seeking for your consent to
authorize his bank to remit the sum of USD11Million deposited with
them to you as the heir to the deceased. The concerned bank has issued
last ultimatum to me as the deceased attorney to present the
deceased’s heir to apply for the claim or have the fund confiscated.
Note that the intended transaction will be executed under legitimate
legal manner that will protect you from any breach of law. I will use
my position as the client’s attorney to guarantee the successful
execution of this transaction. All I require is your understanding and
honest cooperation to enable us achieves this enormous goal. I will
give you comprehensive details of this transaction when you indicate
your interest. Be informed that ten percent of the fund will go to
charity work and we will share the remaining ninety percent in equal
ration. I look forward for your quick response.
Yours Sincerely
Victor Miguel Esq.
Attorney at law -Spain
|
Anti-fraud resources:
