|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "receive a commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- 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.
- kadibah48@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs K adi Bah." (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:01:46 -0000
Subject: Dear Sir.
Dear Sir.
I hope this message reaches you in good health. i am searching for a gold buyer or sales agent, hence this contact with you for further discussions. I Mrs Kadi Bah. a native of Siguiri in Guinea Conakry,
and presently staying in Senegal with my little son for the past three months since the death of my husband .I want to inform to you that I have 250kg of 22.7 carat Alluvial Gold Dust of 94.6% purity, Guinea origin for sale.
Please note that I am not a professional gold dealer, as this is inherited asset from my late husband Chief Rafiu Bah
who was the head and traditional ruler of the Siguiri gold mining town in Guinea . I have desperate need to sell the product due to family problems and I want a buyer or agent who will come for inspection of the product and sign a Trustee contract with me for the sale of the gold overseas.
The price is negotiable and you will not pay for the goods until they have arrived your chosen refinery and the assay report confirmed.. You will equally receive a commission if you are a sales agent.
Due to my my situation as a widow, I really need your urgent and positive response as soon as you get
this mail.
Warm regards.
Mrs K adi Bah.
+221774004943
kadibah48@yahoo.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
