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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:
- "dear friend" (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- saudin_farooq96tg@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: saudin farooq <saudin.farooq@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2011 14:20:20 +0000
Subject: MUTUAL BENEFIT FOR BOTH FAMILY
Dear Friend,
My Name is Mr.Saudin Farooq
I am one of the secret financial controller to the resignation
president of Egypt HOSNI MUBARAK
Before his resignation I have been working with him for the past 18
years without the consent of anyone or the notification of the
public,moving out monies as a consignment on his behalf to different
part of the countries abroad
On the 26th of March 2002, We deposited the sum of $4.7M with a
security company in Lome-Togo and just forge declearation on the
content as family personal effect belonging to one of his foreign
partner abroad which has been dormant for years
Now that he has been pulled out from power, his intension is to gather
all the billions transfer into foreign account
The total sum $4.7M is sealed in a meltalic box and well arranged
waiting to be deliver as soon as I hear positive and confidential
response from you
This money you can receive in cash by delivery to your door post
through the security company Diplomat and can also be transfered into
your account based on our arrangement.
I have all informations related to the deposited box containing $4.7M
Please, remove every negative thought towards this transaction and
understand there is no risk involved
A change of ownership will only be done in your name to enable you
become the real bonafide owner of the consignment while other issues
are minor
I await your urgent respond
Regards
Mr.Saudin Farooq
You can reach me on this number below
Phone:+228 9030856
Alternative Email: saudin_farooq96tg@yahoo.com
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