|
|
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:
- "hundred thousand 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.
- 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.
- mrs.carolineedward@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Caroline Edward <carolineedward2@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2017 12:39:02 +0000
Subject: How are you today?
My Good Friend,
How are you today? Hope you are fine.
My name is Ms. Caroline Edward, i am the manager of auditing section of Africa Development Bank (A.D.B) here in Ouagadougou Burkina Faso, West Africa. I have a business proposal in the tune of Ten Million Five Hundred thousand United States Dollars (USD$10.5 Million) only.
This is an abandoned fund that belongs to a deceased customer of my bank which i discovered all the related documents regarding to the deposit while I was properly arranging old files for closing remark for the year 2016. After the successful transfer; We shall share in
ratio of 40% for you and 60% for me.
Should you be interested so we can commence all arrangements? And i will give you more information about this business proposal on how we would handle it for the successful transfer of the money into your bank account. I will also send you my private mobile number and copy of my bank working id card for your preview for you not to have doubt about this business proposal Sent you today. If you happen to receive this letter in your spam folder, know that it was because of slow internet connection because you are not contacted by error.
YOUR DETAIL INFORMATIONS REQUIRED ARE AS FOLLOW:
(1) Your Full names............
(2) Your country of origin...................
(3) Your mobile phone number (Private number)...................
(4) Your Occupation.....................................
(5) Your Age and Gender...................................
REPLY TO MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS: mrs.carolineedward@gmail.com
Thanks.
I am waiting for your reply.
Yours Sincerely,
Ms. Caroline Edward.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
