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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:
- "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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- barristerthembankosi100@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "THEMBA NKOSI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristerthembankosi100@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 22:16:48 +0200
Subject: PLEASE WE NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP
BARRISTER THEMBA NKOSI
THEMBISA CHAMBERS AND ASSOCIATES
JOHANNESBURG,
SOUTH AFRICA
TEL - + 27 76 118 3318
EMAIL - barristerthembankosi100@yahoo.com
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AND INVESTMENTS
Dear sir / madam,
I am a legal practioner based in johannesburg south
africa. Your details were obtained from the south African
chamber of commerce and industry when I was conducting a
search for a reputable andtrustworthy person/ s that Will
assist my client in concluding this project. I have
client ( a widow ). She has US$25,500,000.00 ( TWENTY
FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS
) with a private equity investment trust companies with
potentials for rapid growth in long term investments.
My client is interested in placing part of her fund in
your company, if your country’s bi- laws allows foreign
investors to invest. You can contact me on the above
mobile number and my email address for more information
on this project and kindly include your personal mobile
number for easier communication. Please keep this
transaction confidential.
Awaiting your favourable response soonest.
Yours faithfully
BARRISTER THEMBA NKOSI.
THEMBISA CHAMBERS AND ASSOCIATES
NOTARY PUBLIC AND CONVEYANCERS
MOBILE- + 27 76 118 3318
EMAIL- barristerthembankosi100@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
