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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:
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Sheikh Ahmad Moaz Al-Khatib" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <shahmadmoaz@yandex.com>
Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 15:52:52 -0700
Subject: BENEFICIARY OF FUNDS
My name is Sheikh Ahmad Moaz Al-Khatib ,leader of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. I personally have a very serious problem that need an urgent attention which I believe you can urgently handle for me. My difficulty is, I have huge funds that I deposited in a Dormant Escrow Account. I have just concluded today that I should contact a foreigner to receive the funds on my behalf as the political climate here in Syria do not support my moving out of Syria, so that you can assist us receive the funds from Dormant Escrow Account. Be informed that this is a DEAL and MUST be handled as a DEAL. The Funds can only be punched via Bank Transfer to your account as to avoid any traces considering the sense of insecurity in Syria.
There is no risk involved in this matter. Reply me now to enable me give you full details on how the funds can punched to your bank account via Bank transfer.I pledge to reward you reasonably as I already have all arrangement concluded to swiftly release the funds to you on my behalf.
NB: Be reminded once-more that this is a DEAL and a personal transaction between me and you as you should be rest assured that the transaction is 100% risk free hence the funds the huge funds is deposited in a Dormant Escrow Account.. Do note that I was linked up to you by an official of your high commission here in Syria who assured me of your good reputation and credibility in handling this very project as I assured him that the funds will be finally invested in your Country. I refer you to this website for more information
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20300356
I await your email response and be free to respond to my email with any question as I will explain well to your good understanding.
Regards,
Respectfully Yours,
Mr.Ahmad Moaz Al-Khatib
email: shahmadmoaz@yandex.com
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