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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:
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "markusb@atlas.cz" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Bala Markus <markusbala282@gmail.com>
Reply-To: markusb@atlas.cz
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 05:46:00 -0500
Subject: Busiess Affair
Hello there,
My name is Mr. Markus Bala the Deputy Governor Financil Sector Surveillance
Last year I made an arrangement with one Mr. Michael
McNulty a national of the United States of America in the state of
Wisconsin to
hold on my behalf the sum of $15.2Million to be used for investment, the
money
was slated to
move in two phase of $7.5Million at each phase. We worked together and
obtainedall the papers needed to transfer the first $7.5Million but as soon
as
the fund was confirmed in his bank account he disconnected his phone line
715 694
5761 and disappeared. He was staying at #45, Peterson Rd,Black River Falls,
Wisconsin.
My tenure as the Deputy Governor Financial Sector Surveillance Central Bank
of
Benin will very soon and I don't want the opportunity I have here in making
myself rich to be wasted hence I am contacting you to work with me and keep
on my
behalf for investment the balances sum $7.7Million. As a civil servant
still
under services of my government I am barred from operating foreign account
and I
would not deposit this amount in my local account here because I had
declared my
asset immediately I was appointed into my present position.
I will make you my investment manager after a commission of $2.2Million
from the
$7.7Million for your kind help and I pray I will not be disappointed again.
I
seek for your corporation and sincerity towards this business.
Please contact me immediately via my e-mail: ( markusb@atlas.cz ) with your
complete names and numbers (Phone and Fax) and I will get back to you
explaining
areas you felt you want to know better.
Anticipating your positive response.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Markus Bala
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