|
|
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:
- "into your nominated bank account" (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: Doris May <dorisivymay24@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dorisivymay@mail2world.com
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2015 14:53:21 +0100
Subject: Good day dear !!
Hello dear,
My name is Mrs.Doris ivy May. Iam a widow;please I have been going
through many difficulties since the death of my husband by unknown
assassins. I would like you to help me receive and invest some amount
of money which my late husband left for me and my 2 children into your
company or any investment in your country pending my arrival to join
you later.
My late husband was an oil merchant until his death and he invested
more in properties which the sell of his estate resulted in this money
which he deposited in a Security finance investment firm on my name
before his death in Europe and I want to invest it wisely, once I see
your readiness and willingness to help me I will give you the contact
information of the Security finance investment firm for them to
arrange for a bank that will transfer the money into your nominated
bank account so you could help me and invest the money after taking
away your percentage out of the money.
Please I need your kind reply so that my lawyer can use your
information to get all the documents changed to your name as my
partner before the bank could transfer the money into your nominated
bank account.Your negative or positive response will be highly
appreciated.
Yours faithfully
Mrs.Doris ivy May.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
