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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: mailus@ninfan.com
Reply-To: sumuncewill@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2017 12:40:01 -0500
Subject: RE For Research & Projects.
FROM: Mr. Whalley Frolick
DATE: January 2017
Dear Sir/Ma
Re: Investment Funds Transfer Payment For Research & Projects.
Please be informed that with perfect documentations, an outstanding Investment Funds Payment for Research and Projects in any profitable program will be released and transferred to your Bank Account through the paying bank's correspondent bank via direct Bank to Bank Swift Wire Transfer.
The Investments Funds US$95.7M came as result of formal Libyan President coverting his foreign cash/funds investment in South Africa into Gold Assets in 2010 before the Libyan Civil War with the help of formal South African Businessman and High Profile Politician awaiting for transfer into foreign account for business partnership as the present Libyan Government are requesting for the return of formal Libyan President investment/funds in South Africa.
You should respond to receive the appropriate directives on the procedures to achieve this goal. When you receive the US$95.7M Investment Funds Payment for Research and Projects, you will keep 30% for your assistance and the balance 70% will be used for a partnership investment/Research & Project in any profitable program with you if you are interested.
I await your urgent reply.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Whalley Frolick
Payment Coordinator
Telephone/Fax No: +2786 666 9249
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Anti-fraud resources:
