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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- anniekouame@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Ms Annie Kouame <akouame1444@gmail.com>
Reply-To: anniekouame@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2014 21:22:34 +0430
Subject: Ms Annie Kouame
Dear Sir/Madam,
I believe that this message meets you in a very good present state of mind
and health. You may not understand why this mail has been sent to you but i
will implore you to take your time to carefully go through this mail even
if you are surprise to receive this message since we have neither seen nor
met before but after more consideration about this offer. I have decided to
contact you and introduce myself. I am Ms Annie Kouame the only daughter of
late Mr and Mrs Richard Kouame, I wish to request for your assistance in a
financial transaction and wish to invest in manufacturing and real estate
management in your country. I have Nine million Seven hundred thousand
united states dollars.USD($9.700,000.00) from my late father hard earn
investment and want to invest in your country, and I will require your
assistance in receiving the funds in your personal account for investment,
I will be gladly to give you 20% of the total sum for your assistance.
Please it is very important you contact me immediately on my email (
anniekouame@yahoo.fr) for further explanation on how we will proceed.
Awaiting your immediate response
Thanks and God bless
Best Regards
Ms Annie Kouame
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