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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:
- "million us 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)
- 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.
- riaankhumalo@mail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Riaan Khumalo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <riaankhumalo@mail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2017 20:05:15 +0200
Subject: ATTN: SIR/ MADAM
Good day!
It is my pleasure to contact you as to discuss this transaction with you; I will want to have your trust and to go into partnership investment with your company which must be built on confidentiality between us. I am the Contract Award Director of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), my office is in charge of awarding contracts to all Aviation contractors, building and handling of government contract throughout the Country including construction of new hangers for Aircraft repairs.
I am in the position to transfer the sum of US$12.8 Million Us Dollars of which I have written a memo informing the Government that this fund belongs to a Contractor waiting to be paid his contract sum; I want to transfer and invest this fund into your company as an investment fund from South Africa to your country.
The fund will be shared in the ratio of 60-40%; 40% for you on the assistance rendered. Please note that this fund will not be investigated or recalled in the near feature as all document to move this fund to your account will be legally obtained. You are to send me your company's name and address with your banking details where you want the fund to be transferred to. As soon as you agree to my proposition, I will send you my number to reach me. I want you to keep this private to yourself.
Be assured that this is a legitimate fund and will be transferred legitimately.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.
Sincerely,
Mr.Riaan Khumalo
send me your replies to this email:
Email: riaankhumalo@mail.com
South Africa Civil Aviation Authority.
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Anti-fraud resources:
