|
|
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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- 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.
- ray102g@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "George Raymond" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ray102g@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2014 18:47:05 +0400
Subject: Dear Friend
Hello!
From George,
Dear sir/madam
I kindly want to put these pieces of information to your notice. My name Is George Raymond a citizen of South Africa, formerly based in London but I am presently in Nigeria seeking for a reliable and trust worthy fellow to assist me in investing my money which I deposited with the United Nation’s office Banking Department here in Asia continent for an investment Purpose.
The said amount is Seventeen Million five hundred US dollar ($17.5 Million). I am seeking investment in Asia Countinent because Asia has the fastest growing economy in the world which prompted the US president to visit Asia to seek access to the market.
If you would be my partner please get back to me (ray102g@gmail.com) as I was strictly informed that a foreigner cannot operate a bank account that will accomodate such an amount and that direct foreigner investment is not allowed in Asia except on a joint venture. So I want you as a citizen of Asia to assist me so that we can transfer this fund into your nominated Local bank account.I am offering 20% of the total sum, if really you are capable of handling this transaction correctly and the balance 80% will be properly secured by you until we find a lucrative business to invest this cash.I will travel from here to meet with you in your country after you receive the funds for proper introduction and further bussiness discussion details to be discussed one on one.
I will give you more details as soon as I receive a copy of your passport, your private cell phone number and your present location and your banking details where the funds will be transferred to.Please we have to keep a low profile to this transaction to enable us to deal with this transaction very urgently.
I am eagerly waiting for your favorable reply.
Phone No:+2348157532615
Regards,
George Raymond
|
Anti-fraud resources:
