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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Breder van Donn Albertus <mark.nor.mueller2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: breder.albertus.consultant@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2021 19:18:52 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend
Dear Friend,
I was referred to you through paid professional internet searches. My
name is Breder Van Donn Albertus I am a German-American, retired
development consultant. I am 69 years old and have worked in my active
years as a non-portfolio consultant with European organizations for
civil protection and humanitarian aid. My professional field is in
development and I have worked in 17 countries worldwide at the
non-portfolio level.
My activities combine extensive regional experience with technical
depth and unsurpassed management skills. Our practices range from
private and agricultural sector development to health and education to
regional businesses. Our management systems enable us to document,
measure and apply current innovations and best practices in different
regions and sectors.
As a witness to the Covid 19 pandemic, I am led into a personal
reflection on where our world is going and what kind of world we are
leaving behind for the younger generation. Although I don't have a
child of my own, these thoughts have triggered a level of reflection
that forces me to find a personal contribution and a solution to these
future existential threats to humanity in a world where their destiny
is technologically linked every day is.
What contribution can companies make to bring human awareness together
into a global growth project that reduces the impact of politics on
common global concerns like Covid-19? The rate of technological
disruption uncovered by the pandemic makes it imperative that people
rethink their understanding of their relationship with one another -
especially one that is currently politically dominated.
I have contacted your company about these humanitarian intentions.
Personally and privately, I would like to donate the total amount of
Eight million euros for the innovative development of IT technologies
and software development that meet the emerging needs of people in our
globalized world. I am not an expert in software development - but I
am sure that innovations can take place in this global humanitarian
awareness. Let me know when you are ready to continue discussing with
me. I would also suggest here that I want a personal relationship
rather than a business relationship because my interest and donation
require a personal understanding between me and the person I donate
to.
I am waiting for your feedback.
Sincerely
Breder Albertus Donn
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