|
|
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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mohammad Reza Robati" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robatimohammad853@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2018 21:49:11 -0700
Subject: I need you to assist me
My name is Mohammad Reza Robati from Syria. I got your contact during my search for a reliable foreigner to assist me relocate my funds.
I need you to assist me move my family fortune valued US$15M to your country and buy us a house and as well as help us move out of Syria for resettlement.
I have concluded arrangements with the bank for the relocation of the funds to any part of the world where the money will be well secured for immediate investment. To this end, I will be very glad to link you with the bank if you are willing to assist me relocate the funds. Your involvement and assistance in this project will attract 10% of the total sum.
Could you please send me an email to enable me know you have received my email via:
I will appreciate your earliest response.
Regards,
Mohammad Reza Robati
|
Anti-fraud resources: