|
|
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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united state 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- janetobeid11@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs.Janet Obeid <marry_annkones@live.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2014 22:51:10 +0400
Subject: My Last Wish
Attn: Dear. Beloved
I am Mrs. Janet Obeid; my spirit led me to write you this email. I write you with heavy tears in my eyes and great sorrow in my heart because my Doctor informed me that I will die in 3 weeks time due to my complicated health issues (CANCER). Based on this, I want to will my fund (10.5 million United State Dollars) to a faithful and God fearing person who will use it as I will instruct hence I contact you because, having grown up in the orphanage,
I have no family to take care of it. The funds will be used to assist charity organizations, the orphanage homes and help the people involved in any form of natural disaster.
I will wait to hear from you if you can handle this task with honesty. Please, let this affair be between us until money is successfully transferred to your account, for safety. Looking forward to hear from you and also get a helping hand from you as my time is up on Earth.
Thanks
And God bless
Mrs.Janet. Your Urgent reply is needed please private email I.D
(janetobeid11@hotmail.com)
|
Anti-fraud resources:
