|
|
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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: MRS HELEN COOK <mapleenergy.hr@gmail.com>
Reply-To: veena@itechonweb.com
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2020 10:16:13 +0100
Subject:
Dearest One,
I am sorry for this sudden email.My name is Mrs. Helen Cook. I was recently
diagnosed with this heartless pandemic virus called COVID 19 in a private
hospital in my home country, and do to my age and my health conditions the
doctors has already told me that my survival rate maybe slim due to
my health conditions and my old age. I have the sum of $4,000,000.00 USD
(Four Million USD) I inherited from my late loving husband Mr Andrew Cook
before his passage (death) which he deposited in BANK here in Europe and I
need a very
honest and God fearing person that can use this funds for charity and
humanitarian work and a significant amount (25%) out of the total funds
will be for your compensation and administrative charges for doing this
work of God. I decided to contact you.
If you can be trusted to handle this, send the following details
to email address: veena@itechonweb.com
<http://webmail.itechonweb.com/cpsess0044966788/3rdparty/roundcube/#NOP>
Your full name................
Address...................
Age.......................
Occupation................
Telephone.................
Email address.............
Stay Safe and Remain Blessed
I Remain
Yours Faithfully
Mrs. Helen COOK
|
Anti-fraud resources:
