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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- 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.
- ericnkosi05@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: E N <webweb0123@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <ericnkosi05@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2015 07:11:43 +0000
Subject: Good day
Good
day
I
only got your contact details from the South Africa Exchange Information
On-line Service on my personal programmed search on the internet for a
reputable company or individual to assist me sincerely & confidential
which your information & profiles were very satisfactory; so I decided to
contact you immediately. It is my great pleasure to write you this letter.
Within
the Department of Minerals & Energy where I work as a Director of Audit
and Project Implementation; I have in my possession an overdue payment in US
funds. The said funds represent certain percentage of the total contract
value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm;
which; I the official over-invoiced to the amount of US$14; 200; 000.00
(Fourteen Million Two Hundred Thousand US Dollars). Though the actual
contract cost has been paid to the original contractor; leaving the excess
balance unclaimed. Since the present elected Government is determined to pay
foreign contractors all debts owed; so as to maintain good relationship with
foreign governments and non-government agencies; we included our bills for
approvals with the Department of Finance and the South Africa Reserve Bank
(SARB).
I
am seeking your assistance to front as beneficiary of the unclaimed funds;
since I am not allowed to operate foreign accounts. Details and change of
beneficiary information upon application for claim to reflect payment and
approvals will be secured on behalf of your Company. I have to propose that
should you be willing to assist me in this transaction your share as
compensation will be (35%); I receive (60%) and the balance of (5%) for
taxation and miscellaneous expenses incurred during the transfer process.
The
business is completely safe and secure; provided you treat it with Utmost
confidentiality. It does not matter whether your Company does contract
projects; as a transfer of powers will be secured in favor of your Company.
Also; your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful
execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope
that you will not disappoint me.
Your
urgent response please.
Thanks
for your co-operation.
Regards,
Mr.
ERIC NKOSI
N.B
Please email your confidential Telephone and Fax numbers to enable me contact
you for further
(ericnkosi05@hotmail.com)
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