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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:
- "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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- 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.
- mr.lewismadani@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Lewis Madani" <wongaloancashza1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mr.lewismadani@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2023 10:10:57 +0200
Subject: Compliment of the day
*mr.lewismadani@gmail.com <mr.lewismadani@gmail.com> *
*ATTN: SIR/MADAM *
* STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL*
*Compliment of the day May I have the pleasure of introducing myself? I am
Mr. Lewis Madani, a senior staff member and chairman of the Tender Board
Committee on the award of contracts in the Department of Works and Housing
here in South Africa. I got your contact E-mail address through the
internet in my search to find a trustworthy person on whom I can repose
confidence for colossal international money transactions. *
*I wish to transfer into a safe and secured account overseas, the sum of
Twenty-Five Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$25.5
Million) which is an over-invoiced amount from contracts we awarded to
foreign contractors who have been duly paid on completion of their various
contracts. This money right now is in a coded account in the Reserve Bank
of South Africa. *
*If you are interested in this deal, I will require some information from
you in order to affect the transfer of the money. Please, be informed that
we shall commence processing of claims of payment once I receive your
interest from you, and the funds will get into your account within Five (5)
working days by direct transfer. *
*Note that this transaction is 100% risk free. Do acknowledge the receipt
of this letter by indicating your interest in the transaction and also
including your direct contact details such as your telephone for easy
communication regarding this transaction. *
*Every further communication should be on my private email:
mr.lewismadani@gmail.com <mr.lewismadani@gmail.com> *
*Best Regards *
*Mr. Lewis Madani*
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Anti-fraud resources:
