|
|
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.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- miriamessojsss1@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Miriam Esso <mimiessojss1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: miriamessojsss1@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2015 17:29:40 -0700
Subject: From Miriam
--
help I want to let you know about my inheritance which my late father
left for me before his death he had a large amount of Money, My name
Is Miriam from Accra,Ghana i am 18 years and presently in a church
guest home because of wickedness of my uncle's and relatives. Your
help is needed for me to continue my education and have a better
life.I shall forward to you with the necessary documents on
confirmation of your acceptance to assist me for the immediate release
of the money to you. I shall be glad to reserve this respect and
opportunity for you, if you so desire, but i do urge you to give the
matter your immediate attention it deserves if this proposal is
acceptable by you, please do not make undue advantage of the trust i
bestow on you, and your urgent reply is highly needed today. I am
willing to offer you reasonable percentage from the total money as
compensation for your effort. May God touch your heart and use you to
bring back happiness and joy in my life. Thank you for your
understanding please reply me on my privet email;miriamessojsss1@gmail.com
|
Anti-fraud resources: