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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- amosmasonda@webmail.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Invest" <amasonda@live.com>
Reply-To: <amosmasonda@webmail.co.za>
Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:02:25 +0400
Subject: Re Your Decision
I am a banker in South Africa, looking to invest a huge sum in any lucrative Investment
in your Country that can be closely monitored under your supervision. My reason of
contacting you is to cut out the middle man. Which is the accounting firm, which in
most cases will take up to 20 to 25% of such investment sum from the total amount that
I intend to invest. By so doing of cutting them out, it will safe me the cost of having
that percentage mapped out to you as your fraction.
The sum in question that I intend investing under your close supervision,
will be wired from a destination account in a bank base on your capability and commitment.
Your prompt response is highly anticipated should you concur to the above thanks.
Regards,
Mr. Amos Masonda
Email:amosmasonda@webmail.co.za
Tel +27 73 953 7714
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Anti-fraud resources:
