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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- 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.
- amandasaleeby@she.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: <amandagirl@centrum.sk>
Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 20:45:58 +0200
Subject: hello
Hello, with love and trust
my dear friend compliment of the day to you.my name is Amanda a Saleeby
girl 23 years old kind caring loving honest and trustworthy and have fun with
compassionate and generous nature viewing your e-mail that really interest
I know more about you that is having the friendship of communication with you
if you have the desire to me.so we can know each other
better sharing of feelings and thoughts together. I like you to write me
through my email for easiest communication.i will be waiting to read
you.I will be waiting for your email, please check that you answered me with the email address below, it is very confidential and private, thank you and have a nice day.
here's my e-mail
Amandasaleeby@she.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
