|
|
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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Briggs Morgan" <briggscool11960@aol.com>
Reply-To: briggs11960@aol.com
Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:42:14 -0700
Subject: Hopt to hear from you
Dear Friend,
RE: Funds Investment and Management Placement of $90.5Million. We solicit
for a private investor who wants to invest his financial Estate in long-term
business venture in your country/company under your supervision.
You will be required to;
[1]. Receive the funds.
[2]. Invest and Manage the funds profitably My client is willing to
negotiate Management sharing percentage after your acceptance. We expect to
hear from you urgently as this is a high priority Investment Placement and
kindly send your information to enhance communication.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely Yours
Briggs Morgan
Dear Friend,
RE: Funds Investment and Management Placement of $90.5Million. We solicit
for a private investor who wants to invest his financial Estate in long-term
business venture in your country/company under your supervision.
You will be required to;
[1]. Receive the funds.
[2]. Invest and Manage the funds profitably My client is willing to
negotiate Management sharing percentage after your acceptance. We expect to
hear from you urgently as this is a high priority Investment Placement and
kindly send your information to enhance communication.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely Yours
Briggs Morgan
|
Anti-fraud resources: