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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Kabelo Mohale" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mohale1992@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:23:59 +0200
Subject: Hope to have your fast response
Dear friend,
I am Barrister Kabelo Mohale, I have a Business Proposal of certain amount of Money in United States Dollars which I want you to handle with me.This Funds belongs to a deceased client of mine that died as a result of a heart-related condition because i was his Personal Lawyer during his life time.
My Late Customer indicated no Next of Kin with his Savings Bank during his life time because he had lost his family prior to his sudden Death.I need a trust-worthy partner to assist me in receiving this funds in a foreign Account for further investment in his/her country,you will be required to:
(1) Assist me in claiming this sum into your Foreign Bank account.
(2) Advise on areas for potential future investment in your country.
(3) Assist me in carrying a feasibility study
This matter should be kept confidential between you and me and please delete this message if you are not interested,i want your Trust and Honesty as the New Beneficiary that will not betray me.
Thanks in anticipations.
My number here is +27839890706
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Anti-fraud resources:
