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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:
- "million united states 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)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
- stbville@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "THAMBO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stbville@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:10:17 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Dear Sir,
My Name is Mr. Sam Thambo; I am Head of Operation/Credit Control Dept banker with Standard Bank of South Africa. My contact information is: my Private email stbville@yahoo.com
I am seeking for your consent in a business proposal which was originated from South Africa which involves the Finance Minister of South Africa , the Accountant General and the Project management / Contract Award Committee Chairman of South Africa . This top Government officials over budgeted funds which the government want to use to pay a particular foreign contractors who executed contract with the Government in building one of the Stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
I was approached by this top Government officials to seek for a reliable company or person who will be fronted as the beneficiary of the over invoiced funds (over budgeted funds) because my department manage the South Africa Oil Sales Reserve Account here with Standard Bank, Sandton Branch.
Solid arrangement has been made to prepare documents in favor of your company or person as the bono fide contractor with South African Government, all the parties involved are well protected and it is a 100% risk free transaction, and the top government officials involved are solely responsible for preparing all the legal documents that will back your company as the bono fide beneficiary of the fund.
The amount involved is US $17M (SEVENTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) and you will be entitling of 30% of the fund while 70% is for me and top Government officials involved. I am the coordinator between you and the SA groups as I consulted you for this transaction at the end of the business you will compensate me with whatever percentage you deem wise to offer to me from your 30%.
For me to start this transaction Please kindly forward the below listed information to me as soon as possible
Your Personal details
Full Name:
Full Address:
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
Mobile Number:
Private Email:
Age:
Occupation:
I look forward to hear from you either by phone or e-mail
I wait urgently to hear from you.
Sincerely
Mr. Sam Thambo
stbville@yahoo.com
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