|
|
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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "mrssruthketie@outlook.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: ruth ketie <mrss.ruthketie@outlook.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 13:12:05 +0100
Subject: True heart
My Dearest in Christ
I greet you, This is the second time i am
contacting you with regards to the charity work. I am Mrs. Ruth Ketie an
widow suffering from longtime illness called Cancer, here in Ivory
Coast i am married to late Mr. Bernard Ketie who worked with Gabon
Embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in a heart attack
and will have a little son called Kelvin, I have a Fund US$14.7 Million
Dollars i will like you to handle for me.
I need a very honest
and God fearing man that can use this funds for God's work and purpose,
20% out of the total funds will be for your compensation for doing this
work of God. but if your embarrassed by my mail please ignore it.and
accept my apology.
If you would be able to use these funds for
the purpose and for more details for the God's work kindly reply me back
on my private email, ( mrssruthketie@outlook.com).
Yours Sister.
Mrs. Ruth Ketie.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
