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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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- desano@mighty.co.za (Mighty, South Africa; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Smith Williams <swilliams002@virgilio.it>
Reply-To: mrktony2a@mighty.co.za
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:32:46 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: CONTACT HIM NOW..
Dear Friend
I have succeeded in receiving the funds with the help of a new
partner from Paraguay Mr. Fernando Alvaro Gomez. Everything was perfectly done.
I have decided to compensate you with the sum of 850,000.00 (Eight Hundred and
Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) in a Cashier 's cheque.
I am now in
Paraguay for investment project with my own share under the advice of my
partner.you are therefore, to contact my personal assistant,Desmond Anozie and
do send him your contact address where you want the cheque to be sent to you
and also your phone, number, this is the email to contact Desmond Anozie e-mail
address:desano@mighty.co.za
Please do let me know as soon as you receive it so
that we can share the joy together.
Best Regards.
Smith Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
