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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:
- "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)
- "thomas.koosommboo4@qq.com" (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: Thomas kosombo <notes.all@laposte.net>
Reply-To: "thomas kosombo" <thomaaskosombo19660@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:37:13 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Re, Hello Good News
Dear Partner
Good day to you I contacted you directly for sake of Business Investment in
your Country. My full Name is Mr. Thomas kosombo with my mother Mrs. kosombo
we are from Angola and Congo, We are searching for a reliable and experience
business partner in your country I have about $15.5 Million Dollars and I
would need Your assistance investing it either here in your country
or any country of
your choice under your guidance.
So I am only soliciting for your assistance to help me invest this money in
your country into Good Investment that will benefit us in your country
as partnership. If you are willing to invest in this business, I will like
to call you and discuss on how to start this project with you and discuss more
in details, Thank you once again for your interest and waiting for your reply
Please reply me Direct to My Private E mail thomas.koosommboo4@qq.com
1) Your full name
2) Your mobile number
3) Your country origin
4) Your Office addresses
5) Your real age
Best Regards
Mr. Thomas kosombo
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Anti-fraud resources:
