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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:
- "project2010@luckymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Jordaan" <e2_2010@att.net>
Reply-To: <project2010@luckymail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:19:23 +0200
Subject: PROJECT MAIL
Pinnacle Building (1st Floor)
Burg Street, City Centre
Cape Town
South Africa
October 10, 2010
Good Day,
BUSINESS PROPOSAL OF MUTUAL BENEFIT
I write you this letter believing that you are a trustworthy individual capable of handling its contents with the level of discreetness and openness that is required. I am a member of the Bid Adjudication Committee of Cape Town, South Africa.
In summary, a "Tender" was approved in March 2007 to a joint venture of Murray & Roberts Company and WBHO (Pty) Ltd for the construction of the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. This project was deliberately over-valued on paper to ensure a surplus amount which is still unclaimed till date.
The unclaimed funds are valued at $28.5 Million as out-standing payments to contractors and I want you to come in as a sub-contractor to receive payment with my help since I can not because of my position. All measures have been put in place to guarantee the legitimacy of this project and we should be through in 14days assuming you cooperate with me.
Please note that the nature of your job or business will not hinder or affect the outcome of deal. Reply if you are interested to (
project2010@luckymail.com) or and include the following information listed below:
1. Full Names
2. Residential or Office addresses
3. Phone number and fax
Thank you for your time.
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Anti-fraud resources:
