|
|
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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: ruth ketie <mrss.ruthketie@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 02:55:45 +0100
Subject: True heart
My Dearest in Christ
I greet you with all my heart, 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 many years before he died in a
Fatal car Accident, I have a Fund US$14.7 Million Dollars which i will
like you to handle for me.
I need a very honest and God fearing
one 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 can be trusted to use these funds for the
purpose, I will explain further when i get a response from you (
mrssruthketie@outlook.com).
Yours Sister.
Mrs. Ruth Ketie.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
