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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "because it still remains the fastest medium of communication" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 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.
- mrsolivierkone@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Olivier Kone <msolivierkone@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 19:31:05 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: MESSAGE FROM MRS.OLIVIER KONE?
 Hello,
Good day to you and your family; please my dear this is very serious and urgent business transaction, I think i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business transaction. Though this medium Internet has been greatly abused, I choose to reach you through it because it still remains the fastest medium of communication.
However, this correspondence is private, and it should be treated in strict confidence. At first I will like to assure you that this transaction is 100% risk and trouble free to both parties, My Names are Mrs. Olivier Kone. I will like to ask for your assistance to resolve and transfer from my bank into your account the total sum of $15.2 Million Dollars.
Now my questions are:-
1. Can you handle this transaction?
2. Can I give you this trust?
3. What is your profession?
Your full names..........................................
Your phone/fax number.............................
Private email address................................
Please if you know that you can sponsor and handle this transaction consider it and get back to me as soon as possible here in my privet email address. (mrsolivierkone@yahoo.fr)
But if you are not interested please delete and do not bother to respond.
Best Regards.
Mrs. Olivier Kone
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Anti-fraud resources:
