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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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- 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.
- 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.
- edwardmorgan2014@mail.com (Mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: ".Good Day " <online492573@telkomsa.net>
Reply-To: edwardmorgan2014@mail.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:50:03 +0200 (SAST)
Subject: from mr edward morgan,
331 Rivonia Blvd,
Johannesburg .South Africa
Mobile: +27737724265
Good day.
I am Mr. Edward Morgan, a financial consultant based in 331 Rivonia Blvd City Johannesburg South Africa.
I have a client (a widow) she has (USD$16.5 Million) Sixteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with a Private Equity Investment Trust Company for safe keeping only.
She wishes to invest in a stable economy outside South Africa and her interest is in companies with potentials for rapid growth in long terms. My client is interested in placing part of her fund into your company or private businesses, if your country's bi- laws allow foreign Investors/ investment. You can contact me for more details via my e- mail below with your details.
Please I will kindly advice that you confirm by email: edwardmorgan2014@mail.com
Note: This fund is free from drug and money laundering related offences
Thanks for your co-operation
Mr. Calvin Harrison.
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Anti-fraud resources:
