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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million united states 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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Senator Maryam Calderon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <shavox.shavox@verizon.net>
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 01:06:45 -0700
Subject: Hope You Receive My mail
Level 9 (G2), Main Office Tower
Financial Park Complex
Garki Abuja FCT
87000 F.T. Labuan.
Nigeria.
+2348051509665
Dear Sir/Madam, Call me
With due respect, I presume this email get to you. I am Senator Maryam Calderon of The Nigerian National Assembly delegate from Abuja FCT and I am writing you in my capacity as the Chairman Contract Award/Review Committee.
I wish to inform you of my interest to establish a successful business relationship with you to interchange services in assisting each other in our diverse business/investments interests in your country or any country you will advice. I had to contact you after going through your email which convinced me of your compentency and capability in being part of this arrangement.
After the end of the year Contract/Review payments I and my colleagues in the committee are left with an over invoice contract payment worth $280 million United States Dollars which we are willing to invest on a joint venture business abroad.
I wish to solicit for your assistance to explore investment opportunities in your country in areas of real estate development or any other viable investment. Your advice and recommendations in this respect will be welcomed enabling us to handle diligently all aspect of our investment operations in your country. The substantial amount of US Dollars for this project will be made available after all negotiations are completed and agreement signed.
Please it is important you keep this information strickly confidential to yourself as we are still
I look forward for your positive response and counting on your anticipated co-operation.
Thanks,
Senator Maryam Calderon
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