|
|
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:
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "100% hitch free" (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 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.
- beryllmarriott@yahoo.com.au (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "St Georges Hospital" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <beryllmarriott@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Sat, 11 May 2013 17:16:09 +0100
Subject: CHARITY DONATION
FROM: Mrs. Beryl Marriott
53 Kina Rd, R.D.31
Opunake 4681, New Zealand.
FOR YOUR ATTENTION
I'm not internet savvy, I am sending this email from my hospital bed. It is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you do not know me but I have a lucrative business proposal of mutual interest to share with you. I got your reference in my search for someone/company who suits my proposed business relationship.
I am Mrs. Beryl Marriott, a house wife. I have an obscured business suggestion for you. I will need you to assist me in executing a charity project in your country. It involves the transfer of a large sum of money that was willed to me by my late husband. This is a legal transaction and I assure you it will be 100% hitch free as long as you are ready to assist. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue as I will prefer to be an anonymous donor.
Once the funds have been successfully transferred into your account, you shall take your share in the ratio to be agreed by both of us and the remaining you use for charity programmes of your choice. I will prefer you reach me on my private email address below (beryllmarriott@yahoo.com.au) and finally after that I shall furnish you with more information's about this operation.
Please if you are not interested delete this email and do not hunt me because I do not want any other person to know about this.
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Mrs. Beryl Marriot
|
Anti-fraud resources:
