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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. James Michael" <fra5417@virgilio.it>
Reply-To: matodi54@sapo.pt
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:04:33 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Consulting For Investment
It is a great pleasure for me to have known you in my research on the Internet.After much reflection, I would like us to work together and achieve this business with my foundation, you are my trusted partner in this very business relationship and which will take us along way and you should consider it very important for our benefit.I have the legitimate ambition to invest in all business areas and countries economically and politically stable and whose laws and regulations to protect and secure foreign investors.I would like to know if you will accept the work that I offer and the choice is yours for the opportunity, do you have any recommendations for me?I am therefore willing to finance huge amount only if you would remain entrusting importantly in the following criteria:1 The investment funds my foundation in beneficial activity.2 Saving a common benefit.3 Respect financial transactions with confidentiality.For more detailed understanding, please send me your address and phone number.I sincerely express my deep gratitude to a perfect and sincere cooperation.Dr James.
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Anti-fraud resources:
