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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million us 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 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.
- adamsgover@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Gover Adams <goveradams2012@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Mr Gover Adams <adamsgover@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:56:43 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Your urgent reply is needed pls.
Dear Friend,
Hopefully i am not disturbing you with this letter.Kindly forgive my way and manner i contacted you without a formal meeting.
I will like you give me your sincere attention. I need a matured and capable hand in a business deal of $8.5 million US dollars.I strongly belief you are suitable to handle such project perfectly with great success.
I will be glad to discuss the details with you.You will have 50% of the above mentioned amounts if you agree to handle this business with me while 50% be for me too.Always contact me through my other email address on :Â adamsgover@yahoo.com for further instructions and more details.
Look forward to your rapid reply!
Thanks and best regards,
Mr.Gover Adams.
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Anti-fraud resources:
