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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- na.paleman@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Nathan Paleman" <susanpale1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. Nathan Paleman" <na.paleman@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:37:49 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Pls Respond
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & MINERAL RESOURCES
SANDTON TOWERS, JOHANNESBURG
P.M.B. 12701 SOUTH AFRICA .
From the desk of: Engr. Nathan Paleman
Msc (Manager 14 Project Allocation)
Tel: +27-71-250-4323 ; Fax: +27-11-507-5093
Email: na.paleman@gmail.com
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a member of the contract award committee and 14 project allocation manager, of the Department of Minerals and Natural Resources in South Africa ; I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of (USD11.5M) and subsequent investment in properties in your country. You will be required to.
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said funds
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties..
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 35% of the total sum of USD11.5M will be for you. Thank you and God bless, as I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.
Yours Faithfully,
Engr. Nathan Paleman
N.B: Please endeavor to call or send me a response via my more Confidential email address (above) for further details.
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