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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 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.
- address.issabelle.james@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Issabelle James <issabellejames@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Issabelle James <issabelle.james@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:59:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CAN WILL BE GOOD FRIEND.
Dearest Friend.
My name is Miss Issabelle James, 26 years old living in Florida,
USA. I got your contact from the Internet search when I was searching to meet friends from around the world. From what i saw in your profile I
think we can make it together because i see you are responsible and
honest. I also admire most those that have the fear of God that
can treat women with respect if you are interested please get back to me immediately. Reply me with this email address.issabelle.james@yahoo.com.
Kiss and Love
Issabelle James
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Anti-fraud resources: