|
|
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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- kingsley.kweku@inmail.sk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Kingsley Kweku" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kingsley.kweku@inMail.sk>
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:09:52 +0100
Subject: request
Dear Friend,
I am Barr. Kingsley Kweku , a lawyer based in Accra - Ghana . I represent a big political figure in the Libya (name to be mentioned later ) who has an urgent need to move out a large sum of money from his country . My principal is a distinguished gentleman who holds a key political position in Libya . I have his mandate to negotiate and agree with a very reliable business partner to assist with the transfer of some money and refined gold dust . This will be applied for investment in your country .
The need to invest overseas has been necessitated by the current political situation and the call for change in the Libya . We are ready to go into negotiations with you regarding what share of the fund / gold that should be assigned to you per your assistance.
The source of this money / gold is authoritative . With your cooperation, we are sure to transfer the fund / gold to your care within 14 working days. We expect that all aspect of this transaction would be conducted successfully with trust and absolute confidentiality. Please feel free to ask questions in case there is anything you do not understand.Thank you again for your attention.
Sincerely,
Barr. Kingsley Kweku.
Reply to : kingsley.kweku@inMail.sk
|
Anti-fraud resources:
