|
|
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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "sgt.aguayo.h.h@us.army.mil" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgt.h.aguayo.privatemailbox@googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:17:49 -0800
Subject: Still in Iraq please reply me now.
How are you doing over there at home? just asking if you can assist me search and get a good price for a home to buy before my redeployment back home from Iraq, so I can get the money sent from here to you to assist me pay for the home of my choice that you have seen. I am ready to compensate you for your assistance. I have taken this decision because I have sent money twice to my only brother and the money was lavished on luxury and extravagance life style. It will interest you to know; he never bought the home and he has not been able to account for all the money I have sent down to him. Now I have decided it is better for me to entrust this task in the hands of a stranger with the fear of God to assist me in this regard.
Serving American soldier with the U.S. Army-720th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade-Iraq Command. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation and I need you to tell more of what I will offer you for the assistance to receive the cash and buy the home of my choice for me.
God bless and please do keep praying for me and all of our troops safe return back home.
SGT. Harry H. Aguayo.
On Duty For: U.S. Army-720th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade-, Iraq Command.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
