|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "drjameswilliams@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: DR JAMES WILLIAMS <mrjoeken2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: drjameswilliams2008@outlook.com
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2016 17:49:09 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend
--
Dear friend
Kindly be informed that this email that came to your mailbox is not an
error but was specifically addressed to you for your consideration. I
have a
business proposal of (£8.5 million) left by my late client, who used
to work and lived here in United Kingdom. My late client and family
were
involved in a car accident that took their lives. I am contacting you
because you are qualified by your name identity since you bear the
same
surname with the deceased and could receive the funds upon claims.
Upon your unbiased and speedy response I will inform you the modes of
the
execution of this covenant. Please contact
me here (drjameswilliams@outlook.com)
Regards,
Dr James Williams
|
Anti-fraud resources:
