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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "duraoffice@contractor.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.LEIGH DURA" <leigh.dura@viola.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "MR.LEIGH DURA" < leigh.dura4@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2019 08:31:49 +0900 (JST)
Subject: RE:GREETINGS INVESTMENT PROJECT WITH YOU
My Dear Friend,
How are you doing?
Kindly accept my apology for contacting you via this medium. Although we have never met before. Nevertheless, I have every reason to believe that you are a highly respected and trustworthy personality.
I got your contact from your country's online directory.
Although, I don't know you personally but I believe God has made this contact possible and also hope you will not disappoint me for trusting you.
I am Hon. Leigh Dura Stuart and Immediate past Director of works South African Republic.
I am interested in investing in your country and Should you be inclined to be involved in this project,
I will appreciate a prompt response from you through the above Private Email (duraoffice@contractor.net) so that I can provide you further details on how we can quickly realize this transaction together.
Thank you.
HON. LEIGH DURA
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Anti-fraud resources:
