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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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- 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.
- hervekonate102@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "gil" <gil@holistica.com.br>
Reply-To: hervekonate102@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2016 09:48:26 -1200
Subject: Business Proposal
Dear Friend,
Greetings from Mr. Herve Konate. I am a banker, I work with United Bank for Africa (UBA).
I am manager in auditing department. I discovered a dormant account amounting to
USD$11.3million dollar which belong to a deceased customer of this bank. The deceased man
is a foreigner; I shall give you further details about him upon receiving your response.
In addition, there is no risk on both sides, because I study the files involved very well
before contacting you.
I cannot do it alone without employing a foreigner who will stand as the deceased next of
kin as bank procedure demands. By indicating your interest I shall send you the full
details on how the business will be executed. Please be informed that your utmost
confidentiality is required for smooth transfer to your account. I await your urgent
response. Please keep this proposal as a top secret and delete if you are not interested.
Call My mobile number +229 9842 9284 for further explanation.Reply to hervekonate102@gmail.com
Looking forward to receive your response.
Regards,
Mr. Herve Konate.
Reply to hervekonate102@gmail.com
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