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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: JOHN CASSIDY <john.cassidy27@btinternet.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:09:02 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: PLEASE HELP ME
DEAR RESPECTFUL,
Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship with you. I got your name and contact from the Advertenties I prayed over it and selected your contact among other contacts I got from there. I am JOHN CASSIDY (JR) the only son of late DR. JOHN CASSIDY. My father was a very wealthy Cocoa merchant in Abidjan the economic capital of Ivory coast but was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings on a business trip.
My Mother died when I was a baby and since then my father took me so special. Before the death of my father on JULY 2008 in a private hospital here in Abidjan he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of TWELVE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS USD. ($12,000 000) left in fixed / suspense account in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan, that he used my name as his only son for the next of Kin in depositing of the money. He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates. He then adviced me to seek for a Foreign Partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose, I am therefore honourably seeking your assistance in the following ways:
(1) To provide a bank account for the transfer of this money. (2) To serve as a guardian to me and the investment of this money since I am only 19years. I am willing to offer you a good percentage from the total sum as compensation for your effort/input after the successful transfer of this money into your nominated account overseas. Furthermore, you will indicate your option towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within fourteen 14 days you signify interest to assist me.
Anticipating to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
John .
TELE +22566116979
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