|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million us 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Anna Wiliams <mrsannawilliams2@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 09:48:00 +0800
Subject: Honest Reply
Dear Beloved,
My Name is Mrs Anna Williams 59years a widow. I have been admitted since 3months now in a hospital here in Ivory Coast due to breast cancer and stroke. I am trusting in you to help me as we do not have any issue.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to my cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke and the money my
late husband deposited on my name before he die in a bank here in Ivory Coast please keep secret.
My late Husband deposited $9.8 Million us dollars on my name in a bank here in Ivory Coast. I have only disclosed this to my church pastor Emmanuel Zulu who was with the documents of the fund as i am in the hospital. I want you to help me to receive this money in your bank account and invest the fund in your country as the bank director is ready to transfer the fund via key telegraphic transfer.
I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going to. I don’t need any telephone
communication in this regard because of my health as my Medical Doctor advice me. My
happiness is that I lived a life of a good mother and worthy Christian. I am give you 25% of
the total sum for your assistance in helping me to receive this money in your account and
invest it in your country as i trust and believe in you.5% for any expenses that may occur
during the transfer
I will give you the pastor contact information email and telephone number to enable you to
contact him so that he will send you the deposited documents and the bank contact inform to enable the bank to remit the fund into your account.
Rev pastor Emmanuel Zulu
Grace Mission Church
Abidjan Ivory Coast
Tel + 225 47 33 91 08
pastoremmanuelzulu121@ozu.es
Please contact the pastor he will give you all the full details of the transfer and bank
contact director to enable you to contact the bank and send them your bank account where the money will be transfer to you peacefully to your account via key telegraphic telex transfer k.t.t as the bank Director promise.
I Love you please contact Pastor Emmanuel by email or telephone he will reply and give you
all the details. Send your telephone number and address to the pastor to submit in the bank
for the transfer and write him on his email or phone him ok. pastoremmanuelzulu121@ozu.es
write me on my private email address mrsannawilliam59@ozu.es private email address and contact the pastor by email ok
I will sleep now contact the pastor by email or on his telephone he will give you all the
details pastoremmanuelzulu121@ozu.es
your faithfully
Mrs Anna William
mrsannawilliam59@ozu.es
|
Anti-fraud resources: