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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:
- "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- a.laurance@terra.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Anita Laurance <mr.ciwoh@gmail.com>
Reply-To: a.laurance@terra.com
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 10:12:06 +0100
Subject: From Mrs Anita Laurence
Hello dear,
Good day and compliments of the seasons. I am Mrs Anita Laurence an
aging widow from Sierra-Leone suffering from (Neck Cancer) I and my
son Dennis Laurence and my husband lived here in LOME TOGO before he
died . My late husband Dr Martin Laurence was a politician and a well
known Importer before his death. I deemed it necessary to disclose
this important issue to you as I believe you can be of good
assistance.
I inherited this sum US$7 Millions Dollars from my late husband. My
late husband deposited this fund in a fixed suspense account in one of
the banks here with an agreement that this fund is to be transferred
into a foreign account for importation of cocoa procession machines.
Last week, I went to the bank for the claim of this money, the bank
Manager told me precisely that I cannot have access to this fund
because of this agreement. He advised me to look for a foreigner to
help me provide an account where the money can be transferred.
Please I am asking for your trust and honest co-operation and I
guarantee to assist me receive this fund in your account in your
country and use it as I directed you here below.(1. 30% for the
well-being of the poor in your country or elsewhere in the world. (2)
50% you will invest for my son Dennis and assist him come over to your
country to further his education. (3) 15% for you and another 5% for
you to cover any expenses which you may incur in this transaction.
If you are interested, please reply immediately. But before I give you
the bank contact, I would want you to provide me with the below
requirements.
1. Your name
2. Your contact address
3. Your telephone
4. Your age
5. Your Occupation
6. Will you be able to assist my son in getting his traveling
documents to come over to your country after the fund is transferred
to your account?
I am waiting for your reply.
>From your beloved sister,
Mrs Anita Laurence.
+228 98800698
Please remember to reply me through my private email
a.laurance@terra.com
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