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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:
- "dear friend" (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.
- ashleywilliamz2000@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Ms Ashley William <adeltadayyonfar@grad.kashanu.ac.ir>
Reply-To: ashleywilliamz2000@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2017 18:35:46 +0430 (IRDT)
Subject: My Dear Friend
My Dear Friend,
Sorry to bother you with my letter.Your contact came to me through online research.
I am Ms Ashley William, of the Ministry of Health in Mauritius proposing a beneficial transaction to you.I am relying on your genuineness and sincerity,in all aspects of this proposal.
The transaction in question of which I am about to reveal to you,emanated from over-invoicing(COMMISSION) of contract awarded in my ministry for the supplies of medical equipment and quality health programs.The Contract payment were completed on the directives of Nicholas west: knowing fully that my commission will be paid out as agreed to a receiving vault as deposited valuables.
please kindly respond to my email addresses below for full details:
ashleywilliamz2000@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Ms Ashley William.
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Anti-fraud resources:
