|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Koss G Dunga <dungak.a.chambers@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:52:02 +0000
Subject: Please go through and get back to me
Dear friend,
Good day to you. My name is Godwill K. Dunga,a renowned Togo based
solicitors. I am writing in connection to late client who died along
with his wife and only Son in an auto accident that is of the same
nationality with you and bears the same last name with you too. I have
contacted you for the repartration of his money valued at sixteen
million five hundred thousand dollars. Please I would appreciate your
urgent call after going through my email for more clarification +228
98634001.
Thanks for
your understanding.
Best regards,
Godwill K. Dunga
|
Anti-fraud resources:
