|
|
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 united states 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Lewis Moore" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lewismoore01@sfletter.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2017 08:02:16 -0800
Subject: CHARITY WORK
Greetings,
My name is Lewis Moore, I am an Attorney and a financial adviser and i represent a deceased client who died November last year. In her will and testimony she directed that a particular deposit she have with a safe house that worth's Six Million United States Dollars be used for charity. She clearly states that the funds should be disbursed outside the United Kingdom. The assistance is such that the one lucky beneficiary will only be entitled to half of the fund with the condition that he or she is willing to help in distributing the remaining 50% to charity organization in their country.
If you are honest and willing to be part of this charity work, kindly get back to me for more details on how the fund can be transferred to you.
Waiting your response
Yours Faithfully
Lewis Moore
|
Anti-fraud resources:
