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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- mohammedismail202@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: <mohammed4534@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: Array: ;
Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2012 06:52:45 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: RE:AlhAji Mohammed Ismail
Federal Republic of
Nigeria Abuja.
Attn: sir/madam,
I Am Alhaji Mohammed Ismail the secretary of the contract award committee, federal
Ministry of petroleum resources, Nigeria i am in search of an agent to
Assist us in the transfer of fifty million, four hundred thousand united
States dollars ($50,400) and subsequent investment in properties in your country. you will be required to:
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas of investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 30% of the total
Sum will be offered to you.
Please send reply to indicate your willingness in assisting us so that i
Will direct you on what next to do. Include your
Direct telephone and fax numbers if
You are responding. Thanks for your anticipated assistance.
Yours faithfully: email mohammedismail202@aol.com
Alhaji Mohammed Ismail
Secretary of the contract award committee (s.c.a.c)
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Anti-fraud resources:
