|
|
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)
- "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.
- 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.
- lt.general.maqsooahmed@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Lt. General Maqsood Ahmed." <kobebefaki@aol.fr>
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:01:30 -0500
Subject: From Lt. General Maqsood Ahmed.
Dear Friend.
My greeting to you
I hope all is well with you? I am Lt. General Maqsood Ahmed from the country of Pakistain, I am a soldier working as United Nations peace keeping troop in Afghanistan on war against terrorism but moved down to Republic of Mali in West Africa for a peace keeping on terrorism and later moved down to Burkina Faso last year September 2015 for special duty against military government overthrow.
I have in my possession the sum of $4.5million USD Which I made there in Afghanistan 2014, I deposited this money with a Red Cross agent. I want you to stand as my beneficiary and receive the fund and keep it safe so that as soon as I am through with my mission here in Burkina Faso, you will assist me to invest it in a good profitable Venture or you keep it for me until I arrive in your country, I will give You 40% of the total money for your assistance after you have receive the money.
Please reply back to me through my private email address (lt.general.maqsooahmed@gmail.com) if you are willing to work with me so that I can send you the information where the money is been deposited.
Your urgent reply is needed,
Lt. General Maqsood Ahmed.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
