|
|
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:
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Rap Ki <rapki1414@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Rap Ki <rapki1414@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 21:05:55 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Legal Business assistance
Investment proposal letter
Dear
Greetings to you and how are you doing? please don't be offended for intruding into your affairs through this email but am pleading you to accept this letter proposal.
I just got an International web site directory online trade 2015 for foreign investment sector in your country and decided to look for a good person who will help me transfer and invest my inheriance with you outside or inside your city, The total amount involved is a sum of FIFTEEN Million US Dollars ($15.000.000.00) which you will help me invest into in a good sector because my father is late.
Kindly treat as urgent and send proceed percentage from your side, I await to have your urgent reply to proceed
(Senior Raphael V Kama)
Vincent Kama PVT Ltd.
V.K. 124 Avinashi Road,
Muthalipalayam Pirivu,
Coimbatore - 641476
|
Anti-fraud resources:
