|
|
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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "matthewbotha2013@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: MATTHEW BOTHA <matthewbotha2001@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2020 07:39:25 +0000
Subject: DEAR SIR/MADAM YOUR URGENT RESPOND IS NEEDED
DEAR SIR/MADAM YOUR URGENT RESPOND IS NEEDED
I know this may come to you as a surprise due to the amount of scam emails we all receive on daily bases.
But it is with a sincere and humble heart that I am making this contact for our mutual benefit.
i am (Mr Matthew Botha) a banker by profession from South Africa and currently holding the post of Audits and assistance manager i have the opportunity of transferring the left over sum of ($30 Million Dollars) that belongs to late Mr Rudi Harmanto from Indonesia who died along with his entire family in the plane
crash and since then the fund has been in a suspense account. Because of the static of this transaction i want you to stand as the next of kin so that our bank will accord you their recognition and have the fund transfer to your account.
This money can be shared between us in the ratio of 50/50;
However, further details of this transaction and the text of application form will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your return mail. I am waiting for your immediate response as you receive this mail.matthewbotha2013@outlook.com
Your Full Name....
Your Country....
Your Personal Mobile Number....
Your Age....
Your Sex....
Thanks
MR MATTHEW BOTHA
matthewbotha2013@outlook.com
PHONE: +27-73-521-0006
FAX: +27-86-439-9886
[https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif]<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> Virus-free. www.avast.com<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
|
Anti-fraud resources:
