|
|
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:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- gregzulu286@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Greg Zulu" <telem@live.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:14:07 +0000
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST
From: Greg Zulu Esq. (For Trustees)
Managing Partner (Greg Zulu & Associates)
Pretoria,South Africa
Tel: +27 786 535 933
Email=Address:gregzulu286@yahoo.com
NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Mr. Andrew Lawman, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address: gregzulu286@yahoo.com on the WILL. I wish to notify you that late Mr. Andrew Lawman made you a beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of Five Million Dollars (USD$5,000.000.00 ) to you in the codicil and last testament to his will.
This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who wished you good. Mr. Andrew Lawman until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers. He was a very dedicated Christian who loved to give out. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. Late Mr. Andrew Lawman died on the 31st day of July 2009 at the age of 90 years and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him this money is to support his Christian activities (may his soul rest with the Lord) and to help the poor and needy.
Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant date.
Yours in His service
Greg Zulu ( Esq.)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
