|
|
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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- juanabogdo@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "ABOGADO JUAN" <juanabogdo1@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2015 10:48:15 -0500
Subject: GOOD DAY
Dear Friend
My names are Abogado Juan Martinez Pedro (Attorney),My purpose of
contacting you is for you to help secure the funds left behind by my late
client, to avoid it being confiscated or declared on-serviceable by the
Bank. While this fund is valued U.S.$5,500,000.00.
I know you may not be anyway related to my late client but having a common
surname with him and the modality I have in place I can guarantee that if
you follow my instructions (The rule of laws)and capitalizing of some
judicial loop holes the fund will be release to
us. I will await your response so I can provide you with detail information
of the deal.
Thank you.
Notario & Tribunal
Mr.Juan Martinez Pedro (Abogado De Justicia)
Phone/Fax:+34-697-287-901
Email: juanabogdo@aol.com
|
Anti-fraud resources:
