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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:
- 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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Mathias Kobi Kabila" <kabilakobi@offieezs.com>
Reply-To: mkkabila_2000@w.cn
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 07:34:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FAMILY BUSINESS INVESTMENT PLAN
Dear Sir/Madam,
This letter might surprise you because we have met neither in person nor by correspondence. I got your contact through some discreet inquiry from the chamber of commerce and industry; one has no doubt in your ability to handle a financial business transaction.
However, I wish to introduce myself, I am Mathias Kobi Kabila the son of the late Democratic Republic of Congo President Laurent Desire Kabila of the blessed memory.
I know this letter might come to you as a surprise but honestly I am writing this letter in respect of my intention to invest the sum of US$28 M (Twenty Eight Million United State Dollars) with you.
Once I get your responds, I will furnish you with details on how to go about this transaction.
Best Regards,
Mathias Kobi Kabila (for the family)
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Anti-fraud resources:
