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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "god fearing " (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.
- 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.
- estradaluisa_993@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Estrada Luisa <estradaluisa_992@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: estradaluisa_9999@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:10:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU WITH THIS FUNDS US$10.6M DOLLARS(REPLY FOR MORE DETAILS)
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Mrs. Luisa Ejercito Estrada The Wife of Former President of Philippine, I have a Funds (US$10.6M Dollars) That I deposited With a Security/Courier Company In Europe and I needed a Partner that Will Help me and my family claim The Funds From The Courier Company In Europe With The Documents that I will Forward to Him/she to Claim The Funds From The Security/ Courier Company In Europe For investment In His or Her Country.
My Husband was Just Release From Prison Due to Political Problem between him and Mrs. Gloria Arroyo after all Charges against Him he Was Release last two Year.
I will Give You Further Details When I hear From You, Bear in mind that all our Communication be on only Email For now.
I had plan to invest this money for my children future on real estate and industrial production. My husband is not aware of this because I wish to do it secretly for now, before my husband was impeached from office.
I concretely and secretly deposited this money to a Security Company In Europe .
I wish to give you 20% out of the total sum if you will be willing to assist me claim this money and invest the money as I assured you 100% risk free business transaction I am trusting you as a God fearing person that will not sit on my fund when it get into your Custody but rather assist me by investing the money. This business demands absolutely secrecy and confidentiality, so all communication shall be through e-mail because we have being monitoring by the Phillippine government & security agents.
Reply Here For More Details:estradaluisa_993@yahoo.com.hk
I furnish you with more details and document when I receive your response.
Please Make sure you indicate in Your Response E-Mail to me Yopur Full Name, House address Telephone/Fax Number Include Your Occupation and Marial Status.
Thanks.
Dr. Mrs Luisa Pimentel Ejercito Estrada
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