|
|
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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mich Orlands <michorlands@yahoo.fr>
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 12:08:08 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU DO HIS WORK ON CHARITY DONATION.
GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU DO HIS WORK ON CHARITY DONATION.
Good Day,
I am Mrs.Lyna Anni. 68yrs old widow, my husband and I worked with Petro-Ivoire before he died seven years ago, Iam writing you this message on my sick bed at the hospital where I am undergoing medical treatment I have been diagnosed of Endometrial cancer unfortunately for me my doctor said I don't have any chance to
survive except by a miracle. I have spent a lot of money on medical treatment yet no improvement.
So becuase of this, I want someone like you to stand as beneficiary to the sum of my 3.5 Million (Three Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) I want to donate this money to support the vulnerable, less privileged children and widows by building orphanages in your country. So if you are willing and capable to receive this money please I will like you to contact me
today.
  Â
Kind Regards.
Mrs.Lyna Anni.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
