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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:
- "i would like to apply through this medium for your co-operation" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "monrovia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Joshua Ayadema" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <customerservicecurecenter@neu.com.cn>
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 12:57:44 +0100
Subject: KIND ASSISTANCE PLEASE!
Attn: Dear,
I welcome you to the week/year 2010 it is with so much confidence that am writing you this mail. After going through your profile on the internet,
I decided to reach you through internet because it is the easiest and fastest way of communication nowadays, nevertheless I am Joshua Ayadema
from Monrovia Liberia presently residing in Accra Ghana.
I would like to apply through this medium for your co-operation to secure an opportunity to invest and to go into joint business partnership with
you.
I have a substantial capital I honourably intend to invest jointly with you into a lucrative business venture based on your advise and directive,The
essence of this mail is to open up communication with you to enable us know each other as regards to my plan to invest judiciously with you.
Please feel free to email me for further clarification on my intention to partner with you.
God bless you as I will be looking forward to hear from you urgently.
Joshua Ayadema
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Anti-fraud resources:
