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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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:
- "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)
- "high court" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Hassan Muktar" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hassanmuktar333@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 07:40:10 +0100
Subject: Re: Name Identity
Hello
Having gone through your name on the internet, I wish to notify you that I am seeking your consent to nominate you as a beneficiary to the estate of my late client (who had the same surname with you) My name is Hassan Muktar Representing Muktar Hussein & Associates, a Legal Firm in UK. The value of the estate including insurance entitlements to be paid is $ 12.000.000.00.Million Dollars Twelve Million Dollars) in the intent of the deceased. (Twelve Million Dollars) has just been brought to our attention )
Upon our mutual agreement between me and you I Will present you to The Probate as the new BENEFICIARY to the Inheritance since there is no written WILL Note that we CAN do this because of the surname identity.
I will provide the necessary SERVICES so to secure the release of the money in your name as the next of kin to my late client from the Bank.All the papers will be processed in your name and upon your acceptance of this proposal; I will request that you kindly forward to us your letter of Acceptance and provide your Current, Telephone number. 2, your full complete name, Address and a forwarding address To enable me file necessary Documents at our high COURT probate Division for the release of this sum of money.
Note that this is a high priority Project and should be TREATED as such. All you have to be to send THOSE information that is REQUIRED of you so that you will be entitled to a partnership status if I am able to reach Terms with you.
Yours faithfully,
Hassan Muktar.
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