|
|
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:
- "million 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr_patricklink@9.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "MANAGING PARTNER" <info@mail.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: barr_patricklink@9.cn
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:53:36 +0100 (BST)
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF REQUEST
MANAGING PARTNER
PATRIK LINZ & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM
17-18 Rex House Regent Street London
SW1Y 4PE,United Kingdom
NOTIFICATION OF REQUEST
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr.David Peet
I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered.
I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address stated on the
WILL. I wish to notify you that late Engr. David Peet made you a beneficiary
to his WILL. He left the sum of fifty Million Dollars
(USD$50,000.000.00 ) to you in the codicil and last testament to his WILL.
Engr. David Peet until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and
the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers. He was a very dedicated
Christian who loved to be involved in charitable projects. His great
philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time.
Late Engr. David Peet died on the 13th day of February, 2006 at the age of
70 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution.According to him this money
is to support your humanitarian activities and to help the poor and the needy
in our society. Please if I reach you this time as I am hopeful, endeavor to
get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job.
I hope to hear from you in no distant time.
Email: barr_patricklink@9.cn
Yours in Service,
Barrister Patrick Linz Esq.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
