|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Kone Zongo <kone.zongo2010@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kone.zongo0@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2010 09:14:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I am Mr.Kone Zongo
Dear friend
I am Mr.Kone Zongo
An exchange manager Bank of Africa (BOA) Burkina Faso. I contacted you for a business transaction, to transfer of funds for investment purpose.
A deposited Fund valued at (US$7.5) Million dollars by late client of this banks here in Africa. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest.
I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
I and my partners have decided to give away forty (40%) to you for your assistance and ten (10%) for any expenses that might arise during the transaction of this transfer. We want to assure you that this transaction’s absolutely risk free since we work in this bank which is why you should be confident in the success of this transaction because you will be updated with information as at when desired. Kindly fill this below information so that I will use them to process next of kin application form, which you will fill and send to my bank for the transfer.
Full Name........................
Home Address...........................
Age................................
Sex.......................................
Personal Number...........................
Fax Number.................................
Receiving Country............................
Occupation.............................
I look forward to your quick reply.
Best regards,
Mr.Kone Zongo
|
Anti-fraud resources:
