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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:
- "million us 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- +27735417687 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
- +27866045626 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- monicaita@mighty.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Monica Ita" <monicaita@mighty.co.za> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:32:34 -0800
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL
Mrs. Monica ITA.
Tel: +27-73-5417-687
Fax: +27-866-0456-26
E-mail:monicaita@mighty.co.za
"CONFIDENTIAL"
We have a beneficial business proposal for you,it involves the transfer of my late husband's funds amounting to US$55,000,000.00 (FIFTY FIVE MILLION US DOLLARS)into your bank account in your country for investment.I and my son are currently seeking assylum in South Africa.
Please do get back to me as soon as possible,and we shall proceed with this business.
God bless you.
Mrs. Monica Ita.
Anti-fraud resources:
