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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mariam Mohamed <mariam_mohamed1955@att.net>
Reply-To: mohamedmariam1960@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 09:49:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: BUSINESS PARTNER NEEDED
Good day to you,
I am so sorry for sending you this
unsolicited and unexpected mail.I got your contact from a
Business Directory in my agents office and I decided to
contact you directly for the sake of business.
My full Name is Mrs Mariam Mohammed with my son Ibrahim
Mohammed we are from congo, I am now searching for a
reliable and experience business partner.and agent tell me
that middle- Easth is good for investement.
I have about $10.5 Million Dollars and I would need your
assistance to investing it either here in U.A.E or any
country of your choice under your guidance..So I am only
soliciting for your assist me to invest. My Business is
totally free of risk and trouble.
If you are willing to invest in this business, please give
me your confidential contact phone number so that my son
ibrahim will call you and discuss how to see face to face
and discuss more details ,
Thank you once again for your interest..
Mrs Mariam Mohammed
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Anti-fraud resources:
