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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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)
- 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.
- jameshowarddirect@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "James Business Inquiry" <james.howard@walla.com>
Reply-To: "James Business Inquiry" <james.machar@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 09:20:51 +0200
Subject: Business Inquiry
Dear Sir/Madam,
Business Inquiry
I wish to solicit your mutual business co-operation. This transaction involves the total sum of US$35 Million Dollars with basic aim of fund security, investment and capital appreciation to the region of 100% in the near future.
This fund is meant for future investment purposes but I want it wisely invested in a lucrative business till the project it was intended for is matured. I am prepared to compensate you with 35% of the profit and 14% ownership of the total fund for your assistance. Details of this transaction shall be availed to you on request when I get a positive repose from you. Please kindly get back to me requesting details of this transaction and any information that might be useful to you for detailed understanding of this transaction.
Please kindly indicate if you are interested in partnering with us by means of contacting me through my private phone number +27 793385563 and by Email: jameshowarddirect@aol.com
More information will be given to you once you indicate your interest. For your assistance, I am will give you the remuneration stipulated above. Send me also your confidential telephone and email address for effective communication, and be kind also to maintain the confidentiality of this letter even if you will not be interested in partnering with me.
NOTE: This transaction is very important and only serious responses needed; very lucrative.
Sincerely,
James Howard
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tel: +27 793385563
Email: jameshowarddirect@aol.com
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