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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- obert_mpofu@myself.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Obert Mpofu" <mpotu1955@consultant.com>
Reply-To: obert_mpofu@myself.com
Date: Tue, 15 May 2012 23:14:50 +0100
Subject: I AWAIT FOR YOUR RESPONSE.
Dear Friend,
I am ( Mr.Obert Mpofu )currently serving as Minister of Mines in my country Zimbabwe.
Please dear I have a plan of Investing in your country on Property,but I would be very glad if you can assist and guide me well with your position in your country and let me know if I am eligible as a foreigner to own a company,or must I go into partnership with a citizen?
I would like to invest in the area of Real-Estate business,But I will be very happy if you can inform me on any other profitable business you know as a citizen, your advice is highly needed.If you find yourself able to work with me, contact me only through my confidential email address ( obert_mpofu@myself.com ) And the private phone number I shall provide in recipient of your response to my proposal. I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to what the consequences may be and please let it be confidential between you and I.
And waiting for your urgent reply.
Via my email
Best Regards
Mr.Obert Mpofu
e-mail:obert_mpofu@myself.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
