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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:
- "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)
- 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.
- michael.2120@laposte.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Michael Smith <officemail.01@laposte.net>
Reply-To: <michael.2120@laposte.net>
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:33:30 +0200
Subject: Re: Waiting for your urgent respond..
Good Day
I know that as you read this email, it will come to you as surprise and a lot will go through your mind because we have not met or seen each other before but i want you to know that this email is for you as i have the feeling that we are meant to do this together. Let me introduce myself, my name is Michael Smith and I want you to assist me received huge sum of (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) for Investment purpose in your country and am willing to offer you 40% of the total sum for your great support. You might also wonder how i got your contact, I got it through the internet when i was looking for a trust worthy person i can trust to handle this project. This offer is 100% genuine and risk free. kindly indicate your interest by given me your direct Cell Phone Number and any identification of yourself send to michael.2120@laposte.net (Mike Smith).
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Anti-fraud resources:
