|
|
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: "Mrs.Turai Umaru Musa Yar'Adua" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.turaimusa92@rocketmail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 1980 06:40:25 -0800
Subject: Re: Hello Friend / Reply Asap.
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIP
Attn Please,
I am making this venture proposal to you, as a reliable partner. I got your contact from your country business guide as a reliable person/company in a related area of my interest for investment. The money I want to invest was acquired from my late husband (President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of Nigeria) vault account.
I have successfully moved this money through a security finance firm to Abroad. The amount involved is US$56 million Presently, I work for the Nigerian Widow's Forum.
If you will like to assist me as a partner then indicate your interest after which we shall both discuss on the modalities. All other information relative to the presence of the funds will be revealed to you as we progress on. I will like my proposal to be kept confidential and you can reach me urgently on my confidential and personal e-mail.
Please indicate your direct telephone and fax number.
Thank you and God Bless,
Mrs.Turai Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
NB: Please do reply me immediately.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
