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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:
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- +447031749711 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Christo Savimbi" <mrchristosavimbi@business4investment.com>
Reply-To: mr-christosavimbi@live.com
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 13:52:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: REPLY ASAP
Mr. Christo Savimbi
240 Wood vales
Forest Hill - London
SE 23 3EA
Tel: +4470317497111
Fax+448447747329
Hello Dear.
I Am Mr. Christo Savimbi a business man here in London, I am resident in U.K/London. I got your contact from South Africa Easy Info Directory. I am contacting you for your kind assistance to investment in South Africa.
I have a very bad family problem at the moment and if I don't move out some of my inheritance out of United Kingdom at the moment I may lose all I have because my wife is about to divorce me as soon as she could.
I my personal interest is to invest towards real estate properties, buying of buildings and constructing new hotels and construction as the case may be. I am also ready to put in money in any business that will generate dividend during the 2010 World Cup. But if there is any other investment you think that will be profitable for me, please do let me know.
I am in U.K for now and shall be waiting to hear from you through the phone numbers above for more orientation. Do forward me with your direct contact number for further telephone conversations for better understanding.
Waiting for your urgent response.
Regards
Mr. Christo Savimbi.
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Anti-fraud resources:
