|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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.
- 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.
- tlekota@tlekota.uk.pn (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "THOMAS LEKOTA" <ttlekota@tlekota.uk.pn>
Reply-To: tlekota@tlekota.uk.pn
Date: Sat, 03 May 2014 05:05:40 +0200
Subject: DAMTSHAA MINES PROCUREMENT OFFICER.
Hello, I am Mr. Thomas Lekota, procurement officer for Damtshaa Diamond Mine in Botswana. I am looking for a reliable individual/company that can become a supplier and a business partner in the procurement and supply of industrial pumps to Damtshaa Diamond Mine.
As the procurement officer of Damtshaa Diamond Mine, I will make sure that you or your company becomes the sole registered agent/supplier of this product. If you are interested and think that you or your company has the capacity to handle this project kindly contact me via my private email address: tlekota@tlekota.uk.pn
I will call you to give you more details about this business venture if you indicate your interest by sending me;
1. Your full names.
2. Your companyâs name if you wish to carry out this business in your companyâs name.
3. Your private telephone numbers (preferably mobile phone number)
I look forward to your urgent and positive response to enable you take charge of the next supply which is due by April 2014.
Yours truly,
Mr. Thomas Lekota.
Procurement officer
Damtshaa Diamond Mines
Francistown, Botswana.
|
Anti-fraud resources: