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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- zumba_k@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Zumba" <zumba_k@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2017 15:56:17 -0800
Subject: Attention,Dear Friend Can you work with me.
Attention,Dear Can you work with me,
My name is Mr Zumba Kamara.I am an attorney.I am in an urgent need of your assistance and co-operation to re-profile and transfer from a bank the sum of $7.8 Million United State Dollars to your account as the next of kin to a deceased client of mine who died with out a will.Since your share the same last name with him. I will give you %40 of the total sum for your assistance once the money is transferred to your account. I promise and give you a 100% guarantee and assurance there will never be any problem for you in this transaction.I will give you more details if I get a positive response from you.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
I will need the following informations from you,
Your Full Name and Address................................
Your Age..................................................
Occupation and position...................................
Your Telephone /fax numbers for easier communications
PLEASE THIS IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
For privacy reply to my private
E-mail account: zumba_k@yahoo.com
Or call on +226 6806 8800
I await your reply ASAP.
Best Regards,
Barrister Zumba Kamara
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Anti-fraud resources: