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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 american 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.
- jameshowardmail@ananzi.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "JAMES HOWARD" <infojameshoward@ovi.com>
Reply-To: "JAMES HOWARD" <jameshowar@bk.ru>
Date: Sun, 19 Jun 2011 14:16:59 -0600
Subject: Re: Business proposal
Dear Sir,
Re: Business proposal
We of the above named institution hereby wish to solicit for mutual business cooperation with you or your company. This offer involves receiving and securing the sum of 35Million American Dollars in your overseas account for a period of 3 calendar years pending when it is needed for offshore investment projects. This fund is meant for future offshore investment purposes .We are prepared to compensate you with 20% of the total funds as a remuneration for your cooperation.
Details of this offer shall be availed to you on request including source of funds. Please do kindly request details of this offer, identity documents of participants and agreements in pursuant of this business concern by sending us your reply strictly at
jameshowardmail@ananzi.co.za
Ensure that you provide us your comprehensive contact details.
Thank you,
James Howard
220 President Place, Meyer Street ,Germiston,1401
Tel:27-782546100
South Africa
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Anti-fraud resources:
