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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "lome togo" (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 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.
- 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.
- hassan_ahmat@terra.com (Terra; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Hassan Ahmat <peritograsso@tin.it>
Reply-To: hassanahmat70@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 16:48:23 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Hello
Hello dear sir
It is never my tradition to send an email to someone without former
acknowledgement, I am doing this because of the necessity and urgency
of this transaction.
I am Hassan Ahmat,a citizen of Mali Republic.Acording to the political
situation and war against terrorism in my country, I have an
opportunity at my
disposal that require your sincere and swift action to execute.
There is $200 M (200,000,000USD) that is available for an investment project.
I shall fully inform you of the full operation upon your acceptance to
assist to implement the transaction.
Awaiting your sincere and quick response.
Sincerely,
Hassan Ahmat
LOME TOGO
my private mail:hassan_ahmat@terra.com
+228 97200379
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Anti-fraud resources:
