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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Miss Nam Khattiya" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nam001@mcom.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2010 21:03:54 +0700
Subject: From Miss Nam Khattiya.
Att Sir./Madam
My name is Miss Nam Khattiya from Thailand.I am the first daughter of Mr
Khattiya Sawasdipol who was shoot during the May Thailand ploitical crisis
My late father on that fateful day they attacked our capital city Bangkok
looting and destroying government offices,although he was rescued by the
soldiers and latter died of injuries he sustained.
Due to his position, he was able to secure some reasonable amount of money
($3.7 million USD)which he deposited in The Office of International Treasury
Control United Nation Thailand before the War started.The officals have no idea that
the content is money because my later father registered the consignment as a
(PRECIOUS FAMILY TREASURE) After crisis i have decided to leave the country for
two reasons;one for our safety and also to find a way of properly securing this
funds and then investing it in viable business ventures, hence l am writing you.
I will therefore like you to help me in every possible way in securing this money
in your country; you will also assist me in finding a good business I will invest
on. In view of your participation, I have made up my mind to give you 20% and 5%
mapped out for expenses,You will be required to come to Bangkok for a meeting with
me if possible or we find the best alternative by which these fund can be secure
without any problem ;I like foreign Policy and this is the reason i don't want to
invest this hard earned money my father have suffered here in thailand this will
give us the chance to know each other better
This money will be moved to your country for investment.All the necessary documents
of these Fund will be presented to you during our meeting and if you have any question
do not hesitate to include same in your reply.You can also reach me on this mobile number
+6687934360.
Best regards
Miss Nam Khattiya.
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