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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "very confidential" (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.
- mrs.kazimakhaled@mail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs. Kazima Khaled <mrs.kazima100@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrs.kazimakhaled@mail.com
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2016 04:42:33 -0600
Subject: Dear Friend
Dear Friend,
Greetings, I guess this letter might come to you as a surprise since I had no previous correspondence with you, but with due respect I got your contact from a business directory from the internet in my research for a special reliable and trustworthy person who will be fit and capable to assist me in handling a very confidential business Investment and I decided to contact you directly.
My Name is Mrs. Kazima Khaled with my son Hamza Khaled. We are originally from Libya but based in London,United Kingdom.I am searching for a special reliable trustworthy and experience business expert in Asia/Middle East or UAE that can guide us in setting up a lucrative business investment in UAE or any Gulf Region. I got to understand that this is the best time to invest in UAE, I am seeking for your full co-operation and partnership in soliciting for your assistance and guidance to help us invest in any lucrative business.
As a result of that, if you are willing to assist I and my son. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible through my confidential email (mrs.kazimakhaled@mail.com) stating your wish in this business investment so that we can discuss more in details. Looking forward to your urgent response and also by updating me with your direct telephone number for easy communication
Thanks with regards
Mrs. Kazima Khaled
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