|
|
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:
- "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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- 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.
- mackjohn64@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Oliver Aguleri <kjdinner@rogers.com>
Reply-To: mackjohn64@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:20:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: THE RELEASE OF YOUR FUND FROM OLIVER AGULERI
Dear beloved friend,
I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction; the money has been transferred to Japan.
It is done through the assistant of your country man Mr. Howard who is a Japan base business man.
Currently I am in Japan with him, my wife and children.
In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and wrote on your favor a Draft worth of ($1.5Million) One Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars.
Now contact my secretary Mr. John Mack. His email address is (mackjohn64@gmail.com) Contact Number +234-706-103-0318 ask him to send you the total of sum of ($1.5Million) One Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars. Cheque which I raised for your compensation .so feel free and get in touched with him and gives him your address where to send the cheque:
(1) FULL NAME.................
(2) ADDRESS...................
(3) COUNTRY...................
(4) PRIVATE TEL...............
(5) PRIVATE FAX...............
(6)OCCUPATION..............
However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success,
you made me what I am now though you are not there to complete this project with me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you.
I know it is not your fault or rather your wish to back up on me and the transaction, I understand
It is simply because of what you must have heard about my continent and her business opportunities. Actually there are still good ones for example myself.
Thank you,
Mr. Oliver Aguleri.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
