|
|
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:
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Sister Rebecca <rebeccabarry403@yahoo.co.th>
Reply-To: mrsrebeccabarry01@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:27:23 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Peace Of Almighty God Be Upon You
Peace
Of Almighty God Be Upon You
Answer
this call of life. Dearest In Almighty GOD, I am Sister Rebecca from France: I'm
married to Late Mr John Berry of blessed memory who was a well known as cocoa
dealer in Abidjan Ivory Coast to UK for through out his life before he died in
the year, 2010. We were married for eleven years without a child.He died after a
brief illness when Abidjan are having political crisis started 28 November 2010.
When he was alive he deposited the sum of 1.5.Million (USD) in trunk at Security
Finance Company in UK.
Presently
this money is still with the security company in UK and i am very sick from
cancer of the lug despite the fibroid and tumor which denied me a child as a
result i may not last till the next nine months according to my doctor
report.Having known my condition I decided to handle
you this Funds with trust and direction from GOD. Meanwhile i want your
assistance to help me claim this Funds from Security Finance Company in UK which
will benefit you and I, in the same hand I decided donate 30% of the Funds to
needy Orphanages and Widows through you in your country. I don't need any
telephone communication in this regard do to my health.
Whoever that
wants to serve GOD must serve him in spirit and Truth. Contact me back also tell
me about yourself if you can handle this transaction with sincerity. Immediately
I receive your info, I shall give you the contact of the Security Finance
Company in UK where this funds was deposited for you to claim it on my behalf.
May GOD bless you as you extend your helping hand to the needy. Clicking reply
in your E-mail. Asalamalakum. Always pray for me. GOD Bless.
Sister Rebecca.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
