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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:
- "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- desskoffice@yahoo.com.au (Yahoo, Australia; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Nana Kweku" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <desskoffice@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2016 09:04:56 -0700
Subject: Re: Reply.
Sir/Madam,
Can i trust you ? Future Investment with your Firm?? I have a private Local mining company based here in the republic of Ghana.And also a director in an asset management firm registered here in Ghana. An investment funds in the sum of $300 Million USD was placed under my management by a client Who is a Minister in the Government of my country here in Ghana that is also interested in investing into your company / Country.However,I Would like to count on you as the investment Manager of the above said Sum of US$300M. Please can i trust you?? will need your earnest response in other to move on with the investment plans and procedures asap. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards,
Mr.Nana Kweku
Director Fidelity Capital Management Corp.
Email: desskoffice@yahoo.com.au
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Anti-fraud resources:
