|
|
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:
- ",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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Jane Karpov" <veronica.c@fastwebnet.it>
Reply-To: Jane_Karpov@admin.in.th
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 01:12:31 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Mrs.Jane Karpov
My Name is Mrs.Jane Karpov, I am married to late Dr
. Yuri Karpov who was an Oil Merchant and international businessman before he di
ed in the year 2001 after a brief illness that lasted for only five days. Before
the Untimely death of my husband we were both born again Christians. When my la
te husband was Alive he deposited the sum of ($18,000,000.00 USD) with a Bank in
UK whose name is withheld Until we open up communication. Following my ill heal
th, my Doctor told me that i may not last for the next Couple Of Months due to M
y cancer problem. the one that disturbs me most is my inability to move Around a
nd Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a God fearing Pers
on that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein, according
to the desire of my late husband Before his death.I don't want a situation wher
e this money will be used in an ungodly Way. I am not afraid of death Hence I kn
ow where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the Bosom of the Lord. Exod
us 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace".
and i will also issue you a Letter Of Authorization from the High Court Of Justi
ce that will prove you to be a beneficiary of this fund. Any delay in your reply
will give me room in sourcing another individual for this same purpose.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
