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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: Stephanie Adams <web.anythroste@yahoo.co.th>
Reply-To: Stephanie Adams <stephanie.adams86@yahoo.com.co>
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 19:21:52 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: I am Ms. Stephanie Adams. 17 years old girl.
From Stephanie Adams.
I am Ms. Stephanie Adams. 17 years old girl. And my younger brother Micheal Adams who is now 10 years old. My parents Mr. And Mrs. Adams. My father is a Military Man he went for a mission in Libya before he was attack by the Libyans rabbles that result his death.
My Father was attack and killed by bullet. Since that time his Family members is trying to kill me and my younger bother Micheal because of my late father inheritance. Before his death He deposited the sum ($5.5 Million Dollars) In the Financial Company here in my country. This fund he intended to buy a cocoa processing machine before His death.
I want you to help me for to retrieve this fund from the Financial Company and transfer it to your account there in your country or any safer place outside my country as you will be the beneficiary and recipient of the fund.
Dear my plan is to come over to Your country and further my education after the transfer, While You will be the person to do investment in any Good investment or business there in Your country.
This is my reason for writing to you. And l am willing to offer you 15% out of the total fund as you help me receive this fund in your account, I will hope to receive your information details below, to enable me present it to the Finance Company as my pointed beneficiary.
Please i want to fill up the below information to enable me to present it to the deposit Bank.
1.Your age.......
2.Nationality: .......
3.Marital status: ........
4.Your full name: .............
5.Your date of birth: .............
6. Your private mobile number......
7.Your occupation/position in office......
8.First Face of I'tnal passport or number:.....
9.Your full contact addresses (Home/office)......
Waiting to hear from You as soon as You read my message.
My Best Regards
Ms Stephanie & Brother
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