|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge sum of money" (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.
- 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.
- captaingeorgeowen9079@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: GEORGE OWEN <dr.owengeorge.2@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2015 22:17:49 +0100
Subject: REPLY
dear friend,
I am captain George Owen a one time personal assistant to Saif
al-Islam. I am writing you on behalf of Saif al-Islam the second son
of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi who has been sentenced to death
by a Tripoli court in absentia over killings during the country's 2011
uprising in Libya. The court sentenced Seif al-Islam Gaddafi and eight
others to death as well, including former Libyan spy chief Abdullah
al-Senoussi.
My primary objective of contacting you privately is to assist Saif
al-Islam second wife Safia Farkash and her only child to invest a huge
sum of money for their future since the life of Saif al-Islam is no
more guaranteed. The funds were secretly secured for investments. Your
duty is to move the funds into your country and invest for the future
of Saif al-Islam family. My own duty is to work with you to make sure
the funds are moved in your country for investments into profitable
ventures that will give the family good life. To back up this write
up, go through this website (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world)
contact me through this alternative email address for more details
(captaingeorgeowen9079@yahoo.com.hk)
Captain George Owen
|
Anti-fraud resources:
