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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:
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Benny Motseku" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bennymotseku@wduty.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:35:13 -0800
Subject: From the desk of Dr.Benny Motseku
From: Dr.Benny Motseku
FNB Bank,
South Africa
My Request.
I Have a very important request that make me to contact you;
I am Dr. Benny Motseku, I found Your profile very interesting in the data base of ministry of commerce South Africa and decided to reach you directly to solicit your assistance and Guidelines in making a business investment and transfer of (12.5M GBP) to your country within the Next few days.I presently work as a senior Accounts Director, Offshore Mortgage & Services with FNB Bank South Africa.
But at this moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this profitable Business investment until I get your response by mail.
Please take out a moment of your very busy Schedule today to respond back if you are interested send your direct mobile telephone number for easy communication and confidential discussion.
I wish for utmost confidentiality in handling this transaction.
Awaiting your reply and please send all email correspondence to my personal email add:
bennymotseku@wduty.com
Best Regards
Dr.Benny Motseku
FNB Bank,
South Africa.
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Anti-fraud resources:
