|
|
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:
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- bm1777177@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mallam Badi Mutah <bm1777177@sgbbj.com>
Reply-To: mbm777117@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:16:33 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Confirm your investment management profile.
Hi,
Having heard about the numerous business opportunities in your country I decided to contact you through the only identified secure means of communication on an investment plan I have with a chunk of money I had hoped on investing in the future.
I have not known you but going through your profile I found out we may have something in common (sincerity and loyalty), I will want to know if you will be able to invest in real estate, stocks or general merchandising.
Kindly contact me on my personal email id below for clarifications and business plans of the future with you:
Email: bm1777177@yahoo.fr
Tel: +229 97325301 hours
I hope meeting and knowing you will bear fruit on both sides, I only contacted you based on your formal introduction profile of your business genuity.
Truly,
Mallam Badi Mutah.
Cotonou, Benin Republic
Email: bm1777177@yahoo.fr
Tel: +229 97325301
|
Anti-fraud resources:
