|
|
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:
- "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- turnerclarisaa@aol.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Clarissa Ann Turner" <mrsturnerc@live.com>
Reply-To: mrsturnercl@live.com
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 22:31:22 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Please Acknowledge The Receipt of My Charity Proposal!!!
Dear Beloved,
I apologize writing you this mail but I want you to consider me with much
full heartily. I am writing this mail to you with heavy tears in my eyes
and great sorrow in my heart because my Doctor told me that I will die in
three months time or less than. Base on this development I want to Will my
money which is deposited in a security company to a God fearing person, so
I am in search of a reliable person who will use the Money to build
charity organization for the less privilege and help people living with
HIV.
The person will take 20% of the total sum. While 80% of the money will go
to charity organization and helping the orphanage because I equally grew
up as an Orphan and I don’t have any child and my late husband family
member are not reliable to take care of my wealth because the fund I kept
under their care to be distributed to charity organization was shared
among their self. I will provide you with other information’s once you
indicate your willingness. Please do contact me through this email address
if you are willing to assist me:turnerclarisaa@aol.com
Yours Faithfully
Mrs. Clarissa Ann Turner.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
