|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "% will be for you" (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)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- 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.
- mrsjane23333@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs. Wendy Jane Williams. <cbi@axxess.co.za>
Reply-To: mrsjane233@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2017 09:53:34 +0200
Subject: Hello My Dearest Beloved
Good day
My name is Mrs. Wendy Jane Williams, I am a dying woman who had
decided to donate what I have to the Charities. I am 75 years old and
was diagnosed for cancer about four years ago, immediately after the
death of my husband in plane Crash as a pilot, I have been touched to
donate from what I have inherited from my late husband for the good
work rather than allow his relatives to use my husband's hard earned
fund.
As I lay on my sick bed, I want you to help me in carrying out my last
wish on earth which will be very profitable to you. I want to WILL a
total sum of $20.5 million USD (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand
United State Dollars)to you which I want you to distribute part of it
to any charity home for me and the rest for yourself and your family
which I will inform you on how to share all, 25% will be for you as
compensation.please for further information contact me ASAP.
I count on your goodwill and especially on the proper use of these
funds.
Please reply me through my email address.
Email: mrsjane23333@gmail.com
Regards,
Mrs. Wendy Jane Williams.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
