|
|
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:
- "remain blessed" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: mrs rebecca <johnenaii@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: mrs rebecca <rebeccavanhorn@rocketmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 23:24:51 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greeting from Rebecca Vanhorn
Greeting from Rebecca Vanhorn
,glad to write to you today. My name is Mrs Rebecca Vanhorn, from Netherlands. I am 62 years old cancer widow. I lost my husband few years ago. My doctor has confirm that i have few years to live on earth due to my critical ill health. Before the death of my husband he deposited some funds in the bank for safe keeping. I am sorry for bordering you, Please can you help me to use my husband's fund for charity work in your country. I will be glad to hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Rebecca Vanhorn
|
Anti-fraud resources:
