|
|
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:
- 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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "there is no risk involved" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr.David Ezra Mensah <mensahgfrey12@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mensfry0001@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:11:39 +0000
Subject: Assistance Needed From You As Partner !
My Greetings to you; I am branch manager of a commercial bank here in a District Region of Ghana. for security reasons my bank will remain undisclosed for now until I receive a positive respond from you.
I intend investing Eight Million nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand US Dollars (8.95m) in your Country, which my bank is not aware, because this money in question was a personal business deal I made in my bank and it require a foreigner that will stand as a foreign beneficiary of this money to enable me move this money from my branch system,that is the reason I need your assistance as my partner..
These are the assistance needed from you as partner.
1. I need your assistance, advise, direction on a profitable investment in your Country.
2. You will be the foreign beneficiary to receive the money in your Country from my bank.
3. You will provide existing or a new bank account where the money will be paid into.
4. You will carry out feasible study then advice me on the best business to invest on.
I will meet you in your Country to start a new life with my family immediately the money is paid into your account, also I want to guarantee you that there is no risk involved at all. You and I will discuss the terms of your reward if you can assist on the above 4 conditions and I will like you to take your time and think about my partnership with you for investment proposal before we can commence .
If you accept to work with me I will appreciate your urgent response.
Best Regards
Mr.David Ezra Mensah
|
Anti-fraud resources:
