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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:
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- 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.
- pravin.gordhan2@accountant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Pravin Gordhan X" <admin@genogan.gq>
Reply-To: pravin.gordhan2@accountant.com
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2020 15:58:26 -0700
Subject: Forex trading is a huge step to success.
Greetings to you.
I am Pravin Gordhan Former minister of finance in the republic of South Africa. I have a confidential business investment proposal i need to discuss with you.
Forex trading is a huge step to success. Go deep in learning or get yourself a good strategy manager that can manage your account. I can make you successful When it comes to trading options. The lack of a strategy is not the real problem but the challenge is finding one that is at least decent that suits you. I was privilege to find this great man, he did not just give me the right strategy but he gave me the right foundation and platform. I keep making consistent profit on every trade for guidance you can reach him Michael Frank
I will furnish you with more details about the investment when i receive your response.
Your response will be greatly appreciated
Yours Sincerely
Pravin Gordhan
Former Minister of Finance
Republic Of South Africa
email: pravin.gordhan2@accountant.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
