|
|
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:
- 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:
- "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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- 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.
- mrsdomingae@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Dominga Eduardo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsdomingae@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2010 08:04:08 -0500
Subject: From: Mrs Dominga Eduardo
From: Mrs Dominga Eduardo
Email: mrsdomingae@yahoo.com.hk
I am the above named person from Chile. I am married to Mr Lichuen Eduardo who
worked with Chile Embassy for seven years before he died .We were married for
years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only two
weeks. Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death I
decided not to r e-marry or get a child outside my Matrimonial home which the
Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of
(Twenty seven Million United State Dollars) on the safe deposit with a vault
house.
Presently, this money is still deposited on the safe deposit with the vault
house and recently; my Doctor told me that I cancer Problem. Having known my
condition I decided to donate this Fund to church or a Christian individual
that will utilize the funds for charities
Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for a church or
Christian individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act
accordingly as I stated herein Hoping to hearing from you. I have set aside
20% for you and for your time and 10% for any expenses if there is any then
remaining balance for the charity work. Contact me on my personal Email:
mrsdomingae@yahoo.com.hk
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Dominga Eduardo
Email: mrsdomingae@yahoo.com.hk
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This electronic message is for the exclusive and confidential use of the
intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, do not read or take
action in reliance on this message. Further, any dissemination, distribution,
or copying of this communication or any of its contents is strictly prohibited
|
Anti-fraud resources:
