|
|
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:
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- bruce.steward@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Bruce Steward" <info.bstew@mail.com>
Reply-To: bruce.steward@aol.com
Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 00:25:32 +0200
Subject: Dear Prospective
Dear Prospective,
Greetings to you and your family and I hope this letter meets you in good
health. My name is Mr.Bruce Steward, a freelance independent investment
broker in Johannesburg. Previously I was consulted by an erstwhile
top-ranking member of a front line liberation movement in Liberia, whose
organization had engaged the Liberian government in a protracted civil war
since 1985. My client now wishes to channel his funds into a productive or
real estate ventures business instead of war. He intends to make this
investment discreetly and under discretionary asset management arrangement
and I am seeking for a very reliable and honest person who will be capable
to handle the project.
I have contacted you on the consideration that we could discuss the
possibility of my client placing his money with you for management, either
in your existing establishment or other venture to be undertaken at your
discretion under terms to be agreed upon. However, he prefers that this
investment be made in your country and I will be expecting your response
in order to discuss further in details.
Respond directly to me on my contact details below:
NAME: Mr Bruce Steward
PHONE: +27- 718- 084- 695 (DIRECT CELL)
EMAIL:bruce.steward@aol.com
FAX: +27-786-725-9103
Sincerely Yours,
Mr Bruce Steward
|
Anti-fraud resources:
