419 scam: "WILLIAM GERRI" <bidvestlotto11@cantv.net> GOOD NEWS !!

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- +27786314782 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "WILLIAM GERRI" <bidvestlotto11@cantv.net>
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:15:39 -0430
Subject: GOOD NEWS !!

THE BID VEST LOTTERY PROMOTION DEPARTMENT SOUTH AFRICA 2010 WORLD CUP.
Lincs , PE9 2YP ,Santon
Johannesburg South Africa .
REFERENCE NUMBER: LLI/240142/011 .
www.southafrica.info ; http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/

Dear Winner,
Your REFERENCE NUMBER: LLI/240142/011 .and BATCH NUMBER: 18/00/1094/LIPDA/SL.

Congratulations, You have a cash prize of $3,100.000.00 AND A FREE TICKET TO 2010 WORLD CUP HOSTING BY SOUTH--AFRICA. in the satellite software email lottery. On line Sweepstakes,International program held on 15th of August 2009 For South Africa 2010 World Cup, Conducted by BID VEST LOTTERY BOARD in which your e-mail address was pick randomly by software powered by the Internet.

CONTACT OUR CLAIMS AGENT: MR. KAGISO GODFREY
TEL: +27786314782
Email:godfrey_kagiso@hotmail.co.za

Forward the following details to enable us clear your file for immediate payment and delivery of your winnings:

1.Full Names:....................................
2.Address:.................... .....................
3.Age:............................................. ...
4.Sex:.................................................
5.Occupati on:....................................
6.Phone numbers:.............................
7.Fax number:...................................
8.Country:.................... .....................
9.Won Before:...................................
10.Email:.................... ........................
11.Annual Income .............................

Mrs. Christiana Blee

THE DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS MANAGER BID VEST LOTTERY AWARD SOUTH AFRICA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam