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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.
- steven_1mark@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Steven Mark" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <steven_1mark@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2013 14:59:20 -0500
Subject: Pty Consult
Hello,
I represent a private consulting firm for investors having sourced your contact address I wish to inform you that I have a client who has good amount of money to be placed under your management for investment in your country in REAL ESTATE, PURCHASING OF HOTELS, INDUSTRIAL MACHINE TOOLS as well as any other viable business ventures that you can recommend.
I seek your opinion on the areas and kind of investment that is lucrative in your country without much taxes and how you can help in moving an amount running into millions of $ dollars you should also furnish me with details for the type of investment you will like us to go into.
Please be informed that these investment funds are from a clean and genuine origin, this is neither a scam nor hoax as all the necessary documents backing up the claims will be provided for reference purpose. Kindly reply me if this proposal satisfies your interest.
Regards
Mr. Steven Mark
steven_1mark@yahoo.co.jp
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Anti-fraud resources:
