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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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "robert mugabe" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- barr.bonganimoyo@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Bongani Moyo <hvdv@mweb.co.za>
Reply-To: Bongani Moyo <barr.bonganimoyo@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2018 02:41:00 +0200 (SAST)
Subject:
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Hello I am Dr Bongani Moyo, The Health adviser to Grace mugabe ( Wife of the ex Zimbabwe president, Robert Mugabe.) I got your contacts through my personal research, and out of desperation I decided to reach you through this medium. I will give you more information As to this regard as soon as you reply.
I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my day to day affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy now so that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence in you.
I have deposited the sum of $13.5million dollar in a switch security firm whose name is held for now until we open communication so please send down your phone/Fax Number. Due to the current situation in the country now I cannot make use of this money I seek your help in transferring this funds out to you I shall be gratefull if you could receive this fund into your account for safe keeping.
This arrangement is known to you and me alone, I assure you 30% of this fund. Please honesty is the watch word in this transaction, I will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith.Thank you
barr.bonganimoyo@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
