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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:
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- 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.
- sa.251@mynet.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.JAMES READS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sabob251@mynet.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2016 16:30:01 -0800
Subject: Business Trust
Hello,
My name is James Reads the personal attorney to Late Shahid Bhat, A Kenyan business tycoon and the owner of Modern Coast Busses who was shot to death by unknown gunmen on July 11th. 2014. He was driving from the airport with his son Ali when the gangsters shot him to death. view the link below for the full story:
http://africanspotlight.com/2014/07/11/businessman-shahid-bhat-shot-dead-changamwe-pictured/
You can as well watch the below video clip
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ktn/index.php/video/watch/2000080833/-son-of-modern-coast-bus-owner-who-was-shot-during-his-father-s-killing-has-lost-his-leg
Late Shahid Bhat had a deposit of Eight Million, Five hundred thousand British pounds in a security firm in United Kingdom. As his personal attorney, He confided in me that the deposit is specifically meant for charity and humanitarian works. He told me that he will like to set up a foundation for the less privileged in any of the countries of the world.
It is quite unfortunate that the dream of this great philanthropist did not come through before these hoodlums attacked him and shot him to death. Can we put our heads together to complete this dream? I will officially guide you to the legal process to claim this deposit from the security firm. 30% of this deposit will belong to you and you will use the balance to set up a home for the less privileged in your country and for charity works. This foundation will be dedicated to his name.
If you have love for humanity, think about this offer and get back to me. There is no risk involved, Everything will be done legitimately. This is real and not one of those hoax letters flying over the internet.
Your quick response will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
James Reads
sa.251@mynet.com
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