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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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "ELISHA ZOUAZOUA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <elishazoua@laposte.net>
Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:35:47 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT INQUIRY
Dearest one,
I am contacting you to be my Partner in investment projects in your country under your management and control with the Sum of FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS I inherited from my Late Father while I continue my education which stopped due to the death of my father there in your country.
Due to my age, I cannot invest this money by myself because I have no investment experience.
If you are interested to help me,get back to me with your business and personal contact details and I will send you a more detailed explanation.
Yours Respectfully,
ELISHA ZOUAZOUA.
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Anti-fraud resources:
