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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:
- 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 u.s 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 "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Rebecca Taylor <mrsbecca1@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: mrsbecca@yahoo.cn
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 21:49:22 -0600
Subject: don' disappoint me
Dear beloved friend
I am Mrs Rebecca Taylor. I am married to Late Alfred Taylor of blessed
memory who is a cocoa exporter before his death. We were married
for twelve years without a child. He died after a brief illness that
lasted for only four days.
Since his death I too have been battling with both Cancer and fibroid
problems. When my late Husband was alive he deposited the sum of $7.5
million (Seven Million Five hundred thousand U.S Dollars) in the Bank
.Recently, my doctor told me that I have only six months to live due
to cancer problem.
Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my
condition I decided to donate this fund to either an organization
orban individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to
instructs herein.I want this organization or individual to use this
money in all sincerity to fund charities organization, orphanages.
The Holy bible emphasizes so much on God's benevolence and this has
encourage me to take the bold step.I took this decision because I
don't have any child that will inherit this money.I don't want a
situation where this money will be used in an Unholy manner.Hence the
reasons for this bold decision.
I know that after death I will be with God the most beneficent and the
most merciful. I don't need any telephone communication in this
regard because of my health,because of the presence of my husband's
relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this
development. With God all things are possible.As soon as I receive
your reply I shall give you the contact information of the Bank Where
the Fund was deposited.
I will also issue a letter of authority to the Bank Authorizing them
that the said fund Have being willed to you and a copy of such
authorization will be forwarded to you. I want you to always pray for
me because i am going through pain because of my illness.
Whoever that Wants to serve God must serve him in truth and in
fairness. Please always be prayerful all through your life.Until I
hear from you, my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders. May the
Almighty
God continue to guide and protect you.Please reply me urgently
Regards,
Mrs Rebecca Taylor
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