|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Ahmed Al-Madhoun <almadhoun2020@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ahmed.madhoun2020@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2013 19:43:03 +0000
Subject: Attention:
Attention:
I come to you with a sincere heart believing in the Almighty that you
will consider my plight and come to help this family and also benefit
from your assistance.
I am Mr. Ahmed Al-Madhoun contacting you today for a business which
would be of immense benefit to you.I am a consultant based in Africa.
I represent Muammar Gaddafi Family, who died a tragic death while in
power. the wife of the late Gaddafi has instructed me to locate a
foreigner who would act as her partner.Actually I got your contact
from the Internet; please do not feel bad about it because I am
compelled to reach you due to the situation. I am to safeguard this
money in question.
Please I implore you to keep this transaction absolutely secret, you
should not in any way, disclose this business to any body no matter
how close the person may be to you or your heart.I don't want people
to expose it negatively or feel that you are going to be more
opportune than them and go forth to say negative prayers concerning
this transaction. I want you to contact me immediately so that we can
proceed with the business.
The wife of late Gaddafi wishes to find someone trust worthy who could
help the family to clear about $20.5 million USD over seas .this
funds are been abandoned over seas without any beneficiary because of
the sudden death of Gaddafi and the family needs you as a beneficiary
to be able to clear and transfer this funds. As you know, assets
worth several million of dollars belonging to his family have been
confiscated by the present Libyan government so this project is top
secret and you should not reveal it to anyone.
The family has decided that if you assist in clearing and standing as
the beneficiary of this funds,you will get 40% of the total funds and
60% will be for the family.Reach me by return mail if you are
interested in this proposal so that I will give you relevant details.
Regards
Mr. Ahmed Al-Madhoun
|
Anti-fraud resources:
