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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.
- 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 orphan scam.
- 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.
- jpeter3866@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "James Peter." <jpeters3866@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: jpeter3866@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 07:09:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: I m searching for an investor!!
From: James Peters
BP 3179 Sekondi -Ghana-West Africa.
Top Urgent/Confidential.
Hi Confidant,
I am James Peters. I m searching for an investor that will help me invest
my inheritance. The statistics shows that the Economy of your country is
getting better and will be more profitable in few years to come.
I Inherited US$19.5 Million dollars with 7 KG GOLD BAR from my late father
which I want to invest in a lucrative business venture in your country.
This money was released from the alluvial gold dust sold when my father
was the Chief of Western Region of Ghana before he was assassinated by
some unknown enemies.
I urge that you help me to transfer this fund to your country for
investment purposes on the followings below:
1). Telecommunication
2). Real Estate/Five star hotel
Your main responsibility is to ensure the total evacuation of the funds
from Ghana where it is secured at the moment. Upon your arrival in Ghana
we have a conservative estimate of 2-3 working days for all vital
consultations and actualization, and accompanying deeds.
I don´t want family relativies to know about this development since they
has sized my late father's land properties’ will appreciate whatever
result you may brief me. Do let me know your idea and knowledge regarding
this or any other profitable investment venture you may suggest. My
relatives around me always. I will be pleased to offer to you 25% /5% set
aside for any expense of the total fund for your kind assistance.
If Interested, please send to me full contact address private phone number
and a scanned copy of your international passport to enable me send you an
invitation letter for you to secure an entry visa to Ghana from our
Embassy in your country. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you
the contact of the Security Company here in Ghana so that you will open a
contact with them.
Finally, I will like to know what you do for a living so that I can be
able to know if your work is going to allow you to handle this project
that I am committing into your hand to the glory of God.
Thank you and God bless you.
Sincerely,
James Peter.
jpeter3866@hotmail.com
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