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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 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.
- sister-m-marie@superposta.com (Superposta; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MISS NICHOLA BUDHAN" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:30:06 -1200
Subject: (YOUR BANK DRAFT IS VALUED EUROS300,000.00)
I wish to inform you that I concluded this transaction successful with a lady in South Korea and I am currently residing in South Korea for project investment with the fund.
I have raised and signed an International Cashier Bank Draft, to the Sum of (Three Hundred Thousand Euros only.) Euros300.000.00 on your behalf for your compensation as to appreciate your past efforts and attempts to assist me, you should confirm your postal address to her so that she can courier the check to you. I did this out of sympathy for your efforts and I hope you will be satisfied with my compensation.
I will advise you to contact my secretary immediately through her e-mail address: Sister Maria Rose via ( sister-m-marie@superposta.com and phone at +229-97689290) for the delivery of the International Cashier Bank Draft. I hope you will have a nice life with my token of compensation for your efforts and God bless you.
Sincerely
Miss Nichola Budhan
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Anti-fraud resources: