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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:
- "million 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)
- "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.
- +447087624521 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- joefred454@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Joe Fred" <test@laoluaina.com>
Reply-To: joefred454@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2016 16:14:26 -0500
Subject: It is very important for us to get the fund.....
Greetings,
I crave your indulgence to acknowledge the receipt of this proposal . Am very self-reliant to make this appeal to you so we can handle a business transaction that will change our financial status. Seeking for your cooperation in building a Tourist Hotel or Real Estate in your country. I am sorry if this is not in line with your business.
However I need an experienced person like you to assist set up and develop the project. On the resumption of the project, you will be made a Director for the role and the assistance you rendered. You will also be entitled to a
percentage agreed upon between me (as the representative of the Investor) and you before the commencement of the project.
As i am writing to you the sum of USD30 Million Dollars (Thirty Million United States Dollars Only) is currently lodged in an European Bank which shall be disclosed to you with other vital information at your request.
This fund was meant for the purchase of Military equipment for the fight and eradication of Boko Haram terrorist but was diverted for personal. I also want to bring it to your notice that the account officer to whom this fund is entrusted to is about going for retirement, hence it is very important for us to get the fund to you pending his retirement period.
Your immediate reply with your information will be highly appreciated and I shall give you more information on this project. Please contact me at my private phone number (+447087624521.)if there be anything that you are not cleared with.
Thanks and God bless.
Joe Fred.
joefred454@hotmail.com
Mobile: +447087624521
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Anti-fraud resources:
