|
|
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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "rosemary_mane70@cantv.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "rosemary mane" <rosemary_mane70@cantv.net>
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:35:01 -0430
Subject: From Rosemary Mane
From Rosemary Mane. lot
25 Immueble Dela Paix Rue 28 Treichville.Abidjan Cote
D'Ivoire. Email(rosemary_mane70@cantv.net)
My Dearest one, My name is Rosemary
Mane. I am 22 years old and an Orphan After my praying and fasting
for God to find me a trustworthy someone who will help me to receive the
only money I Inherited from My late Father. I send you this mail asking
for your immediate assistance to help me to receive this money in
your hand. The amount ($8.5M). This money is consealed in a trunk box
and deposited in the security company here in abidjan.My late father
registered it as family valuables. Now I want to secure it out and I
discussed with Security Company and the company agreed to send the trunk
box to any country I want them to send it. The company said that they
will send the trunk box to you through their diplomatic courier
service to you. The company said that it can only take them 3 or 4 days
to send the box to your hand if you are ready to receive
it. Please I choose you as my partner to receive the box. Please
accept me and help me to receive the box as soon as possible. I want you
to send me the below details in this email(rosemary_mane70@cantv.net) (1)Y our
name (2)Your address (3)Your telephone number (4)Your fax
number (5)a copy of your id card or pspt. Please send me this
information so that I will submit it to the security company and introduce
you officially as my partner. You know that this is an issue of
money please keep it very secret until you receive the trunk box in your
hand. Yours sincerely, Rosemary Mane
|
Anti-fraud resources: