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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 friend" (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.
- mrsmariammohammed20@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MrS.MariaM MohammeD" <mrsmariammohammed2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsmariammohammed20@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2017 03:30:54 +0400
Subject: I WANT TO INVEST
Dear Friend
Greetings, I got your contact from business directory and I decided to
contact you directly. My Name is MrS, MariaM MohammeD with my son
Hakeem MohammeD.we are originally Libya but based in London, United
Kingdom. i am searching for a reliable and experience business expert
in Asia/Middle East or UAE that can guide me in setting up a lucrative
business investment in UAE or any Gulf Region. I got to understand
that this is the best time to invest in UAE, So am only soliciting for
your assistance and guidance to help me invest in any lucrative
business.
Please if you are willing to assist i and my son please provide mewith
your confidential mobile number so that you can discuss more in
details and please do get back to me.
Reply back to me with my with tnhis Email address: mrsmariammohammed20@gmail.com
Thanks with regards
MrS, MariaM MohammeD
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Anti-fraud resources:
