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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:
- "huge deposit" (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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Cyrus Mokri" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cyrusmokri05@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2015 12:01:43 -0800
Subject: Your Consent
Hello
I am Cyrus Mokri and the personal confidant of Mahafarid Amir Khosravi an Iranian business Guru who was executed May 25, 2014 in Iran. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating most especially, the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me, to enable us discuss further about this transaction.
I will appreciate your information on the below form
1. Your Full Name:
2. Your Current Mailing Address:
3. Your Marital Status:
4. Your Age:
5. Your Occupation:
6. Company Name: (If Any):
7. Country: (Present Location):
8. Nationality:
9. Telephone and Fax numbers.
Best regards,
Cyrus Mokri
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Anti-fraud resources:
