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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.
- 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:
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "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)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- mmmutu01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. M.M Martins" <mailamutu3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mmmutu01@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:11:32 -0400
Subject: Greetings!!
Greetings,
I am Mr. M.M Martins, I am contacting you in regards to a business
transfer of a huge sum of money from my bank. I know that a
transaction of this magnitude will make anyone apprehensive and
worried, but I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the
day. I decided to contact you due to the urgency of this transaction.
I am a banker by profession in BENIN REPUBLIC, and currently holding
the post of bill and exchange manager at the foreign remittance
department of my Bank. I have the opportunity to meet unclaimed funds
($25.5 Million Dollars) that belongs to one of our deceased customer
who made a number of months deposit without an heir.
Hence; I am inviting you for a business deal and this money can be
shared between us in the ratio of 60/40 if you agree to my business
proposal. Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as
soon as I receive your urgent mail confirming your willingness.
Please indicate your willingness by sending your information for easy
communication and more clarification. The details as follows should be
send only to mmmutu01@gmail.com ; Your full name, Your personal email
address with direct telephone and fax numbers for confidentiality and
easy communication.
I am waiting to hear from you if you are interested.
Remain Blessed.
Best Regards,
Mr. Maila Mutu Martin
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Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia
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