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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:
- "with absolute secrecy" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "agentmathew@corporation-groups.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mathew Slim" <lcgrizza@toledonet.com.br>
Reply-To: agentmathew@corporation-groups.com
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 21:31:42 -0200 (BRST)
Subject: Vital Info
Goodday,
I do apologize if the content hereunder are contrary to your moral
ETHICS,but please treat it with absolute secrecy and personal courtesy.
I have written an earlier email to you but no response; I am writing
following an oppurtunity in my office that will be of immense benefit to
both of us.In my first email I did mentioned to you abut my late client
who had some huge fund deposited with a bank in Europe before he died in
April 2004;He (my late client) bears the same surname with you.
Since his death I have received several letters from the Bank,requesting
me to provide his next of kin or any of his relatives who can make claim
before the end of the year or they will be left with no option than to
confiscate everything.
I have conducted my personal search to see if I can make contact with any
of his relatives but without success, it is in the course of my effort
that I have to contact you. I have closely checked and since you bear the
same surname with my deceased client it will be better to present you as
the next of kin and the right beneficiary of the fund in the account with
the bank.
I will provide you with all the necessary legal backup that is required
until this money is paid out to you by the bank, and then we both shall
share it base on our agreement.
Do respond quick if you are interested or should you need further
clarification because we have no much time left.Get back to me via:
agentmathew@corporation-groups.com or call me on my cell
Phone:+447526590008.
Thanks and God bless.
Regards,
Mathew Slim.
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