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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:
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
- amavic13@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Victor" <amavic15@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: amavic11@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 7 May 2013 09:47:55 -0000
Subject: TO INVEST
Dear Sir,
I want to introduce my self to you very well to you.
My name is Victor Amanda,i want to buy house in your country and also
invest under your care.
As i told you am from Liberia but now in Ghana as refuges.
My fathers was very rich man in my country before was kill
by the rebels. My late father was politician.
My late fathers has big Tobacco farm and i take care of the farm.
That is why i could not attend school well.
The time my father was alive,he use my name and deposited $10millon dollars
in Ghana bank for me. Am ready to give you 20%if you help me invest in
your country.
As he was kill and am in Ghana here now and i have check the bank and the
money is safe.
As i want to import cars the green light did not give me yet.
My plan is i want to move to your country to invest in your company.
Please let me know if we can work together or not.
Thanks
Reply me through my email address amavic13@yahoo.com
Victor Amanda
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Anti-fraud resources:
