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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:
- "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)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Graca Machel Nelson Mandela" <mandelamachel@gmail.co.za>
Reply-To: gracamachel@gmail.co.za
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 20:17:37 +0200
Subject: hello
My names are Mrs.Graca Machel Nelson Mandela .I emailed you few days ago
but I did not receive any response from you. Please find it necessary to
reply to me. I am seriously seeking for your assistance and
partnership of US$62.7
MILLIONS (sixty Two Millions, Seven Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars)I got your contact through a small paper containing your contact
E-mail address given to a lady at the Johannesburg chamber of commerce and
industries. I would like to know if you can work out a profitable and risk
free transaction with me. Immediately I hear from you, I will provide you
with all necessary information in respect of my letter.please channel your
reply to my private E-mail (gracamachel@gmail.co.za
<address%3Agracamachel@gmail.co.za> )
Thanks
Mrs Graca Machel Nelson Mandela
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Anti-fraud resources:
