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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:
- ",500,000" (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.
- 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.
- michealjohnbcn@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John Micheal" <info12@wristwatches891.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <michealjohnbcn@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2014 14:27:14 +0530
Subject: "GREETINGS"
Greetings,
I contacted you regarding a business opportunity in our company.
My proposal to you is based on our company urgent need for a
Wrist Watch and Jewelry Raw material called RAW AND NATURAL
PRECIOUS QUARTZ STONES OF 98.8% CLARITY. Recently came to
know through a reliable source that this same material our
company are buying from Russia at the rate of $35,000 USD/per
Kilo. are available in India at the rate of $15,500,000.USD/per Kilo
and our company are not aware of my discovery.
I am soliciting your sincere co-operation regarding my personal
interest in this business transaction that would be profitable to
you and me. It is my sincere wish to entrust you with this project
since I do not have the money to buy these materials and supply to
my company. I intend to establish a mutual business relationship
with you so that i can introduce you to our company...........
Dr.John Micheal
Email: michealjohnbcn@gmail.com
Website:- http://www.wristwatches.co.uk
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Anti-fraud resources:
