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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:
- "hundred thousand 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 orphan scam.
- 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.
- mawamamba77@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mawa <mawa_mamba123@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Mawa <mawamamba77@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2013 15:08:34 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Your Attention Please.
Your Attention Please.
How are you today?
I am very sorry for the inconveniences this message might bring to you may with faith I know that you can be of help.
My
name is Mawa Mamba, 20 years old; I am the only child of late Mr and
Mrs. Richard. Mamba. My father is a well known business man who deals on
gold and diamond in our country Ivory Coast before his death. I prayed
before contacting you and I believed that you are the rightful person
to help me out.
I need your assistance in the transfer of my
inherited money (Three Million Four Hundred Thousand American Dollars)
for investment ventures under your care and directive, while I continue
my education in your country after the transfer.
It is my desire
to come over to your country to further my education while you invest
and manage my inherited money. Please I am an orphan and I need your
assistance to transfer my inherited money to your country and also your
assistance to secure a nice school for me in your country, where I will
continue my education.
I am willing to compensate you with 15% of
the total amount upon a successful conclusion to this transaction. I
shall be pleased to have your personal phone number where I can
personally contact you.
Please I am waiting for your immediate response at mawamamba77@yahoo.com
Thanks and may God bless you.
Yours sincerely,
Mawa Mamba
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Anti-fraud resources:
