|
|
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Elizabeth Wayne" <service@ryoko.com.tw>
Reply-To: v3g654de@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2018 04:57:55 -0700
Subject: PLEASE ENDEAVOR TO PRAY FOR ME
Dear friend,
How are you? My name is Mrs. Elizabeth Wayne and i got your contact on my personal search from an insurance broker, on whom to will my Estate to. Please i want to will this sum to your name, the total sum of (5.231.170.00 EUR) will be under your name, that is the only money left in my account right now. I will tell you why i want to will this to you. I am suffering from throat Cancer (oropharynx) so I can not communicate by phone because my illness have affected my throat. I prefer to communicate by email.
I am in the hospital writing to you and i will tell you my story as soon as i hear from you.
I wait for your answer.
Regards
Elizabeth
|
Anti-fraud resources:
