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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- csev434@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "wems99@terra.es" <wems99@terra.es>
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2006 16:13:39 +0200 (MEST)
Subject: Urgent Response.
Dear Beneficiary,
I write to inform you that the management of the RoyaL Security Finance Firm, London, has been mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, to effect your long outstanding inheritance funds payment of US21,546,000.65 to you, without further delay.
Please advice when you shall be in London to sign for the Authority to Remit form with final endoserment to your inheritance.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cunnan Steve.
Head/CEO
RSFF,London
csev434@yahoo.com
Prueba el Nuevo Correo Terra; Seguro, rápido, fiable.
Anti-fraud resources: