|
|
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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Sidibe Henry <sidibe.henry.senegal@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 May 2014 06:10:45 -0700
Subject: As salamu alaykum, Peace be with you.
Good day, my name is Abdul Kalam originally from Syria currently in South
Africa we do have some money $15.5 million dollars we want to transfer to
your country for investment purpose please kindly get back to me for more
details we would like to invest the money in real estate or hotel
management, we will give you %25 from total sum after helping us receive
the money in your custody in your country.
Abdul Kalam.
|
Anti-fraud resources: