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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:
- "mrsmarissamayer@live.co.uk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Marissa Mayer" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsmarissamayer@live.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:59:36 +0100
Subject: DEAR BELOVED
With due respect my dear beloveds, I want an honest friend to advice me about their country investment
process, I know it may sound strange to receive an email from someone you don’t even know, but I am
desperate to find a sincere partner, that is the reason I took this bold step, made some research and I was
lucky to find your contact which I have confidence that this is the right step toward the right direction.
Meanwhile my plan is to invest in your country with your sincerely support and I will acknowledge your faithful
partner to guard me on the necessary business procedure and strategy in your country. If you're delighted
and interested kindly email me for further communication. mrsmarissamayer@live.co.uk
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Anti-fraud resources:
