|
|
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 message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Samuel Attamills <samatamills3@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2015 17:06:33 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Please
 Good day,
I am Samuel Kofi Atta-Mills first son of the president of Ghana who in July 24 2012 after a brief illness in U.K.
I got your contact from the chamber of commerce while looking for a capable individual with a good investment advantage which I can be able to trust in handle and good investing of my family inheritance.Â
I am writing you to seek your assistance to recover my family monies which was deposited by my father and he gave me the details about this money on his dying bed. This money as he declared to me was stashed away for security in case of his death and it was deposited in an anonymous name so that no one will link him to the money in case he dies and the government will try to recover all his funds. The money is deposited outside my country which I will give you more information after I receive your response and acceptance to assist my family to receive the money The total amount is US 98.006.000.00 MILLION
I have the bank details and certificate of deposit for this account and will give you more details upon your request. May Allah bless you and please do not mind my manner of approach because I had to seek immediate help and have to keep it all secret. I am willing to offer you thirty five percent of the total money for your assistance and the rest of the money will be invested under your care. If you are sincere, give me a call. I am presently in South Africa now and you can contact me directly on my personal telephone number.Phone: +27 735653327.Â
Please keep this matter confidential until we discuss.Thank you and best wishes.
Samuel Atta Mills.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
