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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "thomas.schacht@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Howard Smith" <howardsmith@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: thomas.schacht@ymail.com
Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 17:17:24 +0200
Subject: CONTACT HIM TODAY FOR BANK DRAFT!!!
Hello my good friend,
Compliment!
Good day and how are you today? Hope all is well with you and your
family? I am
using this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business
has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from India who
financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. Due to your effort
sincerity
courage and trust worthiness You showed during the course of the
transaction.I
have left a certified international bank draft for you worth of
$1,200,000.00
cashable anywhere in the world.
Contact: Mr. Thomas Schacht
Cotonou Benin Republic.
His email address: thomas.schacht@ymail.com
Therefore you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct
mailing address where you want him to send the draft to you.
Thanks
Hoping to hear from you.
Mr. Howard Smith
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Anti-fraud resources:
