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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- mrobirichard@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "FROM MR IBE JOHNSON" <ositehosiichris@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrobirichard@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 13:17:27 -0400 (AST)
Subject: HOPE YOU ARE SOUND IN HEALTH?
Congratulations,
Attn:
Do not be surprised to read this message of hope as I am believing God
that this mail will fine you in an excellent condition of health. I'm
happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred
under the co-operation of a new partner from Paraguay. Presently I'm in
South Korea for investment projects with my own share of the total sum.
Meanwhile I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring the funds despite that it failed us some how. Now contact my
new secretary in Nigeria.His name is Mr. Richard Obi and his contact email
address is You just ask him to direct you how to get your package worth
US3,000,000.00 which I deposited as a bank certified checque as your
compensation for all your past efforts and attempts to assist in this matter.
I appreciated and will always remain loyal and humble in the sight of God
for your efforts in the past.I am God fearing man I promised my God that I
will and will forever dissociate myself with anything that has to do with
what is not mine alone for I know that with God,all things are
possible.feel free and get in touch with my Secretary Mr. Richard Obi who
will direct you very well. reply you email to this box
mrobirichard@gmail.com
Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the
joy after all the sufferings at that time. I'm very busy here because of
the investment projects which is jointly being done alongside my new
partner.
Finally,remember that I had passed all necessary instructions to my
secretary on your behalf.She will send the amount to you without any
delay.
Best Regards,
Mr. Johnson Ibe.
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