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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- brigsgmax02@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: BRIGGS MAXWELL <brigsmax004@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: BRIGGS MAXWELL <brigsgmax02@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 15:37:16 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED
>From the Desk of The Executive Director FinanceProjects Consult Ltd.Email : brigsgmax02@gmail.comÂ
Attn : Sir/Madam, I write to inform you of our desire to purchase and invest in real estates/Hotel business in your country on behalf of the Director of Contracts and Finance Allocations of the  Ministry of Tourism and Housing in our organization. We have made the necessary inquiries, and  have been informed that Green energy projects and real estates business is very much available and can be obtained without any risk in your country. Hence our desire to have an overseas agent is very important. I have therefore been directed to inquire if you would agree to act as our oversea agent in order to actualize this project. I will arrange all payment of any expenses upfront to you to enable us make it happen.
You shall be entitled to 30% of USD$8.5M for your envisaged efforts and assistance rendered and the remaining 70% Â would be for us. This proposal is strictly confidential, free from any form of risk and does not depend on any particular field of trade to execute. The line of business of yourself/company is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this project. It however requires your adequate participation and support to enable its accomplishment on schedule.
Your quick and favorable response to proceed the procurement of the documents in your name will be highly appreciated. Please, get back to me through this email :brigsgmax02@gmail.com  Thank you. Sincerely yours, Maxwell Briggs.
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