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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- 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.
- +447010069864 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- philipkakaza@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.PHILIP KAKAZA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <philipkakaza@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2014 00:48:11 +0530
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL !!
DEAR SIR/MADAM.
I am Mr.Philip Kakaza I live in United Kingdom (UK). I am looking for your
cooperation in building a Tourist Hotel or Real Estate in your Country(INDIA).
I am sorry if this is not in line with your business.
I need an experienced and advance person to assist me to set up and
develop the project and assume responsibility of ownership as chairman but
will be bringing in profit /distribute profit monthly or annually.
The sharing of the funds is 50% for me, 45% for you and the remaining 15%
will be for expenses incurred during the transaction.
The money that I projected is 3.5million US dollar,
All you need to do is to help me get a good land in a good location, after
that then I will send the money to you through a global security company
that will bring the money to your country (INDIA).
I shall give you more information.
Please tell me about yourself, specialization, business, and sector you
Belong to in your country (INDIA).
Waiting For Your Reply
BEST REGARDS
Mr.Philip Kakaza
philipkakaza@hotmail.com
TEL: +447010069864
+448712370896
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