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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.
- 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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- robsmithgazi@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Robert Smith <robsmithgazi@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dr_robert_smith@live.com
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:49:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From: Dr .Robert Smith
From: Dr .Robert Smith
Address: 78 Grayston Drive
Sandton City Johannesburg
Phone: +27-82-06-86-864
Fax +27- 86 608 0477
Email: robsmithgazi@gmail.com
CONFIDENCIAL INVESTMENT PROPOSAL
Dear Sir/Madam
I,m Dr Robert Smith a financial consultant based in Sandton City Johannesburg South Africa .I have a client (a widow) she has (USDMI0,000,000 ) Ten Million United State Dollar with a private equity investment trust company for safe keeping only. She wishes to invest in a stable economy Outside South Africa.
Her interest is in companies with potentials for rapid growth in long terms. My client is interested in placing part of her fund in your company,if your country's bi-laws allows foreign investment. You can contact me for more details via my Phone/ Fax or e-mail with your reference.Please on the reply of this Letter for confidenciality i will kindly advice that you reply me through Email /fax and conferm by phone
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Robert Smith
NB: The fund is free from drug and laundering related offences
MY CONTACT DETAILS
Name:Dr Robert Smith
Phone: +27-82-06-86-864
Fax +27- 86 608 0477
Email :robsmithgazi@gmail.com
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