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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:
- "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)
- 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.
- +22566963218 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: Promise John <simon_002008@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: promisejohn72@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 22:47:32 +0100
Subject: From: Promise John
From: Promise John
I have sent you this e-mail because of the need to open discussions with you. I don't want you to misunderstand this offer in any aspect...if it is okay with you, I ask for your full cooperation. I have contacted you base on trust to handle an investment in your country/company on my behalf as a prospective partner.
My name is Promise John. a citizen but resides here . It might interest you to know that I have US$10.500,000.00 deposited with a financial institution to be invested in your country/company. It is pertinent to let me know if you can handle this fund/investment with you in your country so as to furnish you with all the necessary details about the financial institution for more information. Meanwhile, i am very honest in my dealings with people and I also demand the same from you as a Partner to be. Can I trust you with this fund?
I want you to note that this is a mutual business venture as t here is a reward for your assistance. I shall let you know your benefit for your assistance as we proceed. For a more comprehensive details and source of fund, please contact me as soon as possible. If you find this letter offensive, please ignore it and accept my apologies.
Regards,
Promise John +225 66 96 32 18
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Anti-fraud resources: