|
|
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:
- "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- jkoffo117@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Johnson Koffo <jkoffo1114@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 May 2015 15:05:24 +0200
Subject: 88888888888877777777777
Hello Friend
I am Mr Johnson Koffo, Staff of a Bank in Lome Togo. Indicate your
interest to receive the transfer of (US$10.4) Ten Million Four Hundred
Thousand Dollars. 50% for me and 50% for you.You will stand as the
next of kin to our late customer Mr.Andrew whose account is presently
dormant, I advise you to keep this as a "top secret" as I am still in
service and intend to resign from service after I conclude this deal
with you If you accept my offer, write back to me in my private email
jkoffo117@gmail.com
Yours faithfully
Johnson Koffo.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
