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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Todd James <infoofice98841@gmail.com>
Reply-To: captaintoddjames@mail.ee
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2023 01:14:17 -0700
Subject: Re: Business Investment
Good day
Greetings,
My Name is Todd James of the U.S Army force and one of the Commanding
officers of the U.S Central Command here in Syria.
Please I urgently want you to help me safeguard the amount of money I have
here in my possession which is worth the sum of eleven million five hundred
thousand US Dollars.
I came across this mega cash while on the operation, as we were on the
massive attack against the ISIS terrorist group and has made a private
investigation and found out the money was left by the runaway terrorists so
I decided to keep the money in my possession, but minding how horrible and
risky it is here in this military camp, I deemed it necessary to look out
for a trusted fellow whom would assist me in safeguarding the cash until I
get out of this horrible zone. It was on this effect that I started search
here online for an honest person whom I can trust to help me safeguard the
cash and I came across your mail address and I want to know if you are
willing to help me do this.
I want you to know that I am willing to offer you 40%-Percent of the total
amount if you do help me safeguard this money and get it out of here, I
will email you the details on how I plan of moving the cash out of this
place as soon as I receive your response.
Please get back to me ASAP
Thank you
Todd James
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