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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "fdouglas99099@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "fdouglas99099@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
- +447045773170 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: Frank Douglas <infogovsanusilamido@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fdouglas99099@yandex.com
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2016 11:10:50 +0100
Subject: Let's Work Together.
--
Dear Friend,
I hope this message finds you in good health. I am writing to you in
respect of a project that will be of mutual benefit to us of which
upon completion you will make so much money for yourself and family.
Are you willing to handle this project and can I trust you to
successfully pull this through with me? This deal requires a high
level of maturity, honesty and trust. I am quite aware that there are
a lot of Scams and Advance Fee Fraud all over the Internet, so to have
your full trust, I request for your maximum co-operation.
Kindly respond back with your information to enable us proceed. We
have a minimum of 3 weeks to wrap it up. Please accept my sincere
apologies for writing to you privately without your own consent
Looking forward to your response ASAP through my Private email:
fdouglas99099@yandex.com
Best Regards,
Mr. Frank Douglas.
Telephone: +44-7045773170
Email: fdouglas99099@yandex.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
