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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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.
- 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 united states 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 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.
- musayar@presidency.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: web bb <webdxx2w@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <musayar@presidency.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 16:48:55 +0200
Subject: Very Important Letter
From: Hajia Turai Yaradua(Former First Lady(FRN)
Dear Sir,
Very Important Letter
My
name is Hajia Turai Yaradu'a the Former First Lady and also the Wife of
Late President, Federal Republic of Nigeria(FRN) whom died At Hospital
in Saudi Arabia after brief illness.
My main motive of contacting
you is to find out if you can assist me invest the sum of One
Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only willed in my
name by my late
Husband before his death.
The said amount is currently with a
reputable Security Company/Bank in South Africa with the name withheld
for security purpose till I hear from you. I also wish to let you know
that I have perfected all necessary arrangement with the relevant
Department with the bank in South Africa for transfer of the money into
any bank account I nominate as my foreign Investor.
I have the
entire document covering the money as the money willed in my name by my
late husband which photocopies copies of the document is currently with
the Bank. All I need to do to get the money released to you in my name
is write letter of Introduction to the Bank where the money is deposited
introducing you as my foreign Investor who will take charge investing
the money in my name in any part of United States of America(USA) ,Canada or Europe.
Your response
is needed indicating your interest to assist me, I am willing to
compensate you with 20% of the total amount, while you can reach me
through my Direct email:musayar@presidency.com
Yours Faithfully,
Hajia Turai Yaradu'a
Former First Lady (FRN)
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