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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
- katesavimbi500@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "SAVIMBI" <markjohn1@steffenspritzspachtel.de>
Reply-To: <katesavimbi500@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 08:58:06 -0800
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE
FROMkateSAVIMBI (MRS)
JOHANNESBURG , SOUTH AFRICA .
EMAIL: katesavimbi500@hotmail.com
Dear sir
I am from the republic of Angola . I got your contact details from my private search on internet for a reliable person/company that can assist me and my family to transfer this money out of South Africa . My husband Jonas Savimbi was the rebel leader in the country. Just before he was being assassinated, he gave me US 15.5million (Fifteen million five hundred thousand United States dollars) sealed in a Kist and I departed the country as a refugee to the republic of South Africa with my two kids and my immediate younger brother.
On arrival to South Africa and due to my status, I decided to deposit this money in a security company for safekeeping. Right now, I am seeking assistance from you so that I can transfer this fund from South Africa to your offshore account. If this offer meets your approval, you could reach me or my son, on the phone number above for more clarifications.
Thanks and God bless you as I wait for your urgent response.
Regards
kate Savimbi (Mrs.)
N.B NOTE THAT ME AND MY FAMILY WILL COMPESATE YOU WITH 20% OF THIS FUND FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND ALSO 5% WILL BE FOR ANY EXPENSES THAT MIGHT OCCURE DURING THE
PROCESS OF THE TRANSACTION WHILE 75% WILL REMAIN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY FOR OUR FUTURE.
EMAIL katesavimbi500@hotmail.com
my private phone number +27731314415
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Anti-fraud resources:
