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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 us 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)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Smorgan <rmtull0001@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Smorgan <rmtull001@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 09:00:12 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Hallo
Greetings!
This Message might reach you as a surprise, However I contact you for a business which I intend to establish in your country. Even though both of us did not meet each other before but I believe one has take risk to achieve and also succeed in life. I can confide on you for brighter future of my life since you are a human being like me. But what I need from you is Truth, Trust and Honest.
I have five million, Five hundred thousand United State Dollars to invest in your Country and I will require your assistance in receiving the fund in your personal Bank account. I will be glad to give you some reasonable percentage from the total sum for your assistance especially now i have decided to invest this money in your country or anywhere safe.
I want you to help me to transfer my inheritance money into your personal account in your country for investment purposes on these areas:
1). Health Care Project 2). Transport industry 3). Five Star hotel 4). Manufacturing and real estate management 5). Company enterprise 6).Construction Management 7).Aviation Transport 8).Telecommunication 9).Mining Manufacturing.
What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account?
Please, get back to me if you are capable of handling $5.5 Million US dollars for investments purpose in your country.
I will be humbly waiting for your soonest response.
Respectfully yours,
Sandra Morgan.
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