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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "direct1111@hotmail.co.za" (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: "Ghias M. K." <info.van.consults@consultant.com>
Reply-To: direct1111@hotmail.co.za
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 15:21:28 +0200
Subject: Please TRespond
Dear Friend,
My name is James l work with the security deposit sections of one of the
banks here is south Africa.
Its true that l don’t know you but l am sending you this proposal base on
trust and understanding that you wont let me down as such all
correspondence should be kept top secret.
Former Libya president (Late Gaddafi ) during the time of Nato raid to
remove him from power by force deposited the sum of $40 million dollars
with our bank as security deposit which was still unclaimed before he was
killed . And there was not next of kin or beneficiary because of the
nature the fund was deposited. However the bank is now compel to release
this sum to any one who is presented as his next of kin of relations but
the transaction must ne kept top secret. How will l do this all l need to
do it to get a legal letter of authority ( l will pay for it) this letter
will give you 100% right as the beneficiary of the fund and because l work
with the bank they wont be questions or screening on your identity and then
the fund shall be released to you.
You will then receive this fund and you take 40% and keep 60% for me which
l will come to use for investment in your country.
process when he was killed.
Please there is no risk involved the transaction is 100% risk free . What l
require from you now is your full details, and copy of National identity or
pass port coy to enable me get the legal letter of authourity but you will
also promise me that you wont let me down.
Please contact with me with your full details on my private email
direct1111@hotmail.co.za .
Please keep top secrete.
James Robert
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