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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:
- "i would like to apply through this medium for your co-operation" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447031922890 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- kelvin.eya01@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: kelvin.eya01@live.com
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 18:45:31 -0800 (PST)
Subject: JOINT VENTURE INVESTMENT
I have a new email address!You can now email me at: kelvin.eya01@yahoo.com
- GOOD DAY,I AM KELVIN.G. EYADEMA I WOULD LIKE TO APPLY THROUGH THIS MEDIUM FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION TO SECURE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST AND TO GO INTO JOINT BUSINESS WITH YOU IN YOUR COUNTRY. I HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL CAPITAL OF US$10.5 M(TEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS).I INTEND TO INVEST WITH YOU INTO A VERY LUCRATIVE BUSINESS VENTURE BASED ON YOUR ADVISE AND DIRECTIVE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME FOR FUTHER CLARIFICATION AND DETAILS. PLEASE CONTACT ME ON EMAIL WITH THE FOLLOWING DETAILS AND IFNORMATION:( kelvin.eya01@live.com)(1). FULL NAME: (2).CONTACT ADDRESS: (3).TEL/FAX NUMBER: (4).MOBILE UMBER: (5).AGE: (6).OCCUAPATION: (7).NATIONALITY: (8).E-MAIL: GOD BLESS YOU AS I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TOHEAR FROM YOU URGENTLY.REGARDS.KELVIN .G. EYADEMA.E-mail:(kelvin.eya01@live.com).MOBILE NUMBER:+44-7031922890
Anti-fraud resources: