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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.
- 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: "PROJECT MAIL" <e4_2010@att.net>
Reply-To: <project2010@luckymail.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2010 03:37:28 +0200
Subject: PROJECT MAIL From: Mr. Danny Lawrence
From: Mr. Danny Lawrence
Bid Adjudication Committee (Cape Town, South Africa)
Email: d_lawrence@luckymail.com
Tel: +27 73 955 2204
Good Day,
I write you this letter with hope that you will look favorably on it's content. My name is Danny Lawrence and I am a member of the Bid Adjudication Committee of Cape Town, South Africa.
In summary, a "Tender" was approved in March 2007 to a joint venture of Murray & Roberts Company and WBHO (Pty) Ltd for the construction of the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. This project was deliberately over-invoiced to ensure a surplus amount of Sixteen Million U.S Dollars which is still unclaimed till date.
I want you to stand-in as a sub-contractor to receive payment with my help since I can not do so because of my position in Government. I guarantee the success of this project because all legal measures have been put in place and various preparations have been made for the purpose of this deal.
Please note that the nature of your job or business will not hinder or affect the outcome of deal. Send the information listed below if you are interested.
1. Full Names
2. Residential or Office addresses
3. Phone number and fax
4. A valid identification.
Yours' Sincerely,
Mr. Danny Lawrence
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Anti-fraud resources:
