|
|
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:
- "million united states 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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- martinsaggrey@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Martins Aggrey" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <martinsaggrey@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 21:51:54 +0700
Subject: RE-PROFILING OF CONTRACT
Dearest Confidant
My Name is Major Martins Aggrey of the Fort Bragg army base, North Carolina and presently stationed in Iraq.I am contacting you on a purely personal note as
i have within the limitations we have here tried to make contact with you after serious efforts to get a very trustworthy individual or company that
can partner with me in this endeavour.I have had to check your LinkedIn profile to get intouch with you for this very viable transaction
I have served in Baghad Iraq for the past 15years, I have been a part of the war and also been a part of reconciliation and best the rebuilding process.
I am due to retire in a few weeks time hence, i came back briefly to solicit a trustworthy partner that can help me claim my funds from the establishment here.
As an Engineer i have been rewarded with rebuilding contacts here from the chambers of trade and industry,However because of my current profile of
still a serving officer i cannot claim the payments myself as i do not have a company name to use to process the payments.I cannot also process same in
my name. $20.5million united states dollars is no small money as i am due for retirement in 3months and would have to come back home. I solicit your partnership as your favourable response would allow me avail you all the details,please also know that all documentations will be sought to back up the contract as this is a purely legitimate endeavour.
Please respond to me positively on martinsaggrey@gmail.com
Yours truly
Major Martins Aggrey
|
Anti-fraud resources:
