|
|
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:
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Ms Linda Raji <stephenwax1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: l_raji7@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2021 10:17:07 +0100
Subject: HI FROM Ms Linda .
From :Ms Linda Raji.
Add: 4200 angree djibi
ABIDJAN COTE D'IVOIRE WEST AFRICA
Hello.
I am writing this mail to you with tears and sorrow from my heart, I
know that this mail might come to you as a surprise because you don't
know me and I don't know you too.
I am Ms Linda Raji, 21 years old and I am from Cote d'Ivoire,we are
the children of late Prof George Raji who was murdered by REBELS in
Cote D'Ivoire
Before the death of my late father he had a money a deposited with a
Bank in Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire that contains the sum of ($2,500,000.00)
Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
Please, I need your assistance to enable the Bank to transfer the
money to your country for the investments purpose also in order to be
our guardian.
I am willing to offer you reasonable percentage from the total money
as compensation for your effort.
Your Sincerely
Linda Raji.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
