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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"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 state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: " Floyd Schwartz" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fl7179sch@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2018 01:35:19 +0100
Subject: ***SPAM*** Hope all is well?
Greetings from the caves of war.
My name is Sgt. Floyd Schwartz I am an American soldier, serving in the military with the army's 3rd infantry division based in Iraq/ Baghdad (now redeployed to Afghanistan). With a very desperate need for assistance, I have summed up the courage to contact you. I found your contact particulars in an address journal. I am seeking your kind assistance to move the sum of ($6 Million U.S Dollars) Six Million United State Dollars to your country, as far as I can be assured that my share will be safe in your care until I complete my service here.
Source of Money: Some money in various currencies was discovered in barrels at a farmhouse near one of Saddam's old palaces in Tikrit-Iraq during a rescue operation, this money has been kept somewhere outside Baghdad for some time but we are afraid that the money may be discovered hence i want to move this money to you for safekeeping pending the completion of my assignment here.
YOU WILL FIND THE STORY OF THIS MONEY ON THE WEB ADDRESS BELOW; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
No Compensation can make up for the risk we have taken with our lives in this hell hole. I have to let you know that everything on earth is a risk. I pledged when I was joining the military to defend the United States of America and her territories even if I have to die which is exactly what we here for.
Please note that this transaction is 100% real. All I require is your honest; cooperation and Sincerity to enable us to see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law as it is a 100% risk-free venture. Kindly indicate your interest in assisting an American soldier if interested.
One passionate appeal I will make to you is not to discuss this matter with anybody, should you have reasons to reject this offer, please and please delete this message as any leakage of this information will be too bad for us soldier here in Iraq. I do not know how long we will remain in Afghanistan. I honestly want this matter to be resolved ASAP.
Thanks.
Sgt. Floyd Schwartz.
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