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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:
- "million 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)
- "30% for you " (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)
- "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.
- 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.
- hkthapelo8@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "HENRY THAPS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hkthapelo8@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:50:20 -0800
Subject: Re: Beneficial Request!!! Treat As Very Urgent.
Compliments of the season! I am Mr. Henry Thapelo, a credit manager of Capitec Bank Ltd in South Africa. I need your assistance in executing a business. It involves the transfer of the sum of US$19.5 Million dollars. I shall perfect all legal documents in your name to make you the legal beneficiary of the funds. Once the funds are transferred to your nominated account we will share the proceeds in a ratio of 65% for me, 30% for you and 5% for expenses.
This is a secret deal and I require utmost confidentiality. If you are interested, kindly respond by sending the following information below for further details. 1.Full names 2. Postal address and 3. Your direct/personal phone number. Send your reply only to this secret email address hkthapelo8@aol.com
Kind Regards,
Mr. Henry Thapelo.
hkthapelo8@aol.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
