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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:
- 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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Kabore Isa <kaboreisa1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kaboreisa@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:24:03 +0530 (IST)
Subject: URGENT AND VERY CONFIDENTIAL
Greetings Dear Friend.
I am Mr Kabore Isa, Staff of Bank Of
Africa in Burkina Faso. I would like you to indicate your interest to receive
the transfer of ($20.5 Million Dollars) I will like you to stand as the next of
kin to my late client whose account is presently dormant for claims. if you are
interested,indicate and i will intimate you with the method of application and
how you can apply to the bank .
But before i send to you the text of
application form,I will like you to send me the following
informatios
1.NAME IN
FULL:................................
2.ADDRESS:.......................................
3.NATIONALITY:..................................
.
4.AGE:.............................................
5.SEX..............................................
6.OCCUPATION:......................................
7.MARITAL
STATUS:..................................
8.PRIAVTE PHONE
NO............................................
9.PRIVATE FAX
NO:.............................................
10.ATTACH COPY OF YOUR
IDENTIFICATION...........................
so i will like you to send to
me those informations for easy and effective communication.Upon receipt of your
reply, I will send to you by fax or email the text of the application form.I
will not fail to bring to your notice that this transaction is hitch-free and
that you should not entertain any atom of fear as all required arrangements have
been made for the transfer. You should contact me immediately as soon as you
receive this letter,if only you are intrested and ready to help. Trusting to
hear from you immediately.
Do keep this a top secret for security
reasons.
Best Regards
Mr Kabore Isa
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