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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)
- "million us 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)
- "robert mugabe" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
- patrickmuguruprivate@africamail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mujuru" (may be fake)
Reply-To: < patrickmuguruprivate@africamail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:28:45 +0200
Subject: Please Respond
Dear Sir/Madam,
It is my pleasure to contact you to discuss investment opportunities of US$62.8 Million Us Dollars , I must apologize for using this unconventional means to contact you in a business of this nature but please understand that i am in dare need.
I am Mrs Patrick a very close friend and confidant of the former first lady of Zimbabwe Mrs Grace Mugabe , prior to the military intervention that ousted President Robert Mugabe I helped the ex first lady to move some funds out of Zimbabwe amounting to US$62.8 Million.
This money i deposited in South Africa as a family valuable on a proper arrangement with a private firm that keeps valuables. She has instructed me to secure this money out of South Africa for investment as she feels the resentments she is facing after the change of government and wish to retire with this money in another country.
I will introduce you to the financial attorney that assisted us to make this deposit to explain to you more and work with you on how we can move this fund out immediately.
The fund will be shared in the ratio of 70% /30% for you on the assistance rendered. This money was realized from the proceeds from her farms which as a first lady she used her office to secure so it has nothing to do with the government Please note that this fund will not be investigated or recalled in the near future as all document to move this fund will be legally obtained.
Be assured that this is a legitimate fund and will be transferred legitimately.
I am hoping that you will accept to partnership with me. Thanks for your anticipated Co-operation. Waiting to hear from you.Contact Me on the lelow email address.
Email patrickmuguruprivate@africamail.com
Regards
Mr Patrick Muguru
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