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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- 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.
- johnaguta25@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John Aguta" <johnaguta27@gmail.com>
Reply-To: johnaguta25@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2017 13:30:40 +0000
Subject: investment plan
--
Dear Sir/Madam
I am John Aguta Lawyer by Profession, however this correspondent is
private.I am a financial consultant to an investor from a Mineral-Rich
Africa Country with political background who want to invest outside his
Country.
As stated above, my client had approached me with a mandate to seek for
a
firm or reputable well-established individual that has the experience in
investment management that can help him channel some funds into a
profitable investment outside Africa, where he can get good yield for
his
money.
Due to the sensitive position he holds in his Country and the unstable
investment environment. My client has decided not to retain any of his
assets in his country. Kindly let me know your acceptance to this offer
and
furnish me with a comprehensive draft of your terms and condition.
Contact
me on my private email for more information . Email:
(johnaguta25@gmail.com)
Yours Sincerely
John Aguta
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Anti-fraud resources:
