|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- 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.
- sgt.jhus@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- kindly accord your favorable reply to my private email: sgt.jhus@gmail.com i will brief you more on the (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: james hughes <sgtjamesh6@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2015 23:54:50 +0100
Subject: SUPPORT CHARITY
Hi,
I am Sgt James Hughes, an American soldier serving in the 25th Brigade of
the 3rd infantry Division in Iraq.
During our last mission in Syria,We recovered a large cache of ammunition
alongside two trunk boxes which contained huge sums of money allegedly
belonging to corrupt government officials of the Assad regime here in
Syria. This recovery is part of many others by US special forces in joint
commands on ground, and in various operations around the gulf.
We currently seek your assistance in the transfer of this funds to your
custody.
Our aim is to support charity groups and organizations involved in
humanitarian aid in war ravaged countries.
All that is required is your honest co-operation for the success of this
deal as we have decided to let you retain a portion for your co-operation.
I guarantee that it will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect us from any breach of the law.
You must however assure us that you will not divert this funds when it gets
to your account as this requires a high level of honesty, trust and
confidentiality and I believe you are one of such repute.
Let me also reassure you that this transaction is risk free and there are
no other parties involved.
Kindly accord your favorable reply to my private email: sgt.jhus@gmail.com
<sgt.jhughes@yahoo.com>
I will brief you more on the details upon your response.
Regards
J Hughes
|
Anti-fraud resources:
