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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:
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- mrs.rosemarysavimbi@rediffmail.com (Rediffmail, India; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Rosemary Savimbi" <bestofminelv@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrs.rosemarysavimbi@rediffmail.com
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 04:50:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: A cry for help From Mrs. Rosemary Savimbi
Good day,
I am looking for your cooperation in building a Tourist Hotel or Real Estate in your country.I am Mrs. Rosemary Savimbi, from Angola 48years old and The wife of Late Brigadier Jonas Savimbi of Angola. I reside here in Ghana with my son and only daughter Christiana.We are here in Accra ,Republic Of Ghana because of the fund $40.5 million united state dollars and 250 Kilogram (Kg) of Gold Bar my late husband deposited in a finance house which we want to transfer out from here to a place like your country for investment of building a Tourist Hotel or Real Estate.
Please I want you to be my agent and representative there in your country,I need an experienced person like you to assist me to set up, develop the project. On the resumption of the project, you will be made a Director for the role and the assistance you rendered.
You will also be entitled to a percentage agreed between you and I before the commencement of the project. Please contact me for further clarification. Please I need your assistance. I do hope to hear from you soon. At: mrs.rosemarysavimbi@rediffmail.com
PLEASE GO THROUGH THIS WEBSITE BELOW TO SEE HOW MY HUSBAND IS BEEN KILLED.
{http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1839000/1839252.stm}
Best regards
Mrs. Rosemary Savimbi
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