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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- addpless@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- letter. tel:+27-73-047-4471 fax:+27-86-763-4291 email: addpless@yahoo.com email:duplessisattorneys@webmail.co.za i shall provide you (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Adriaan du Plessis <addpless@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2015 22:55:39 -0800
Subject: REF/17/02/2015
Good Day,
May I start by introducing myself to you, My names are Mr. Addriaan Duplessis, financial consultant to Mrs. Graca Machel Mandela the Third Wife of former South African Former President late Nelson Mandela who died as the result of a lungs infection at 95years, on heart-related condition on the 5 December 2013.
Am Soliciting On-Behalf of Mrs. Graca Machel Mandela for fund transfer for investment and security purpose Please kindly check the attached letter.
Tel:+27-73-047-4471
Fax:+27-86-763-4291
Email: addpless@yahoo.com
Email:duplessisattorneys@webmail.co.za
I shall provide you with more details to the successful completion of this transaction after I hear from you. I assure you that this transaction is risk free
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely
Addrian Du Plessis
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Anti-fraud resources:
