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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- 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.
- franklin.buthelezi@post.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Franklin Buthelezi <franklin.buthelezi@post.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 04:14:50 -0700
Subject: INVESTMENT FUNDS WORTH 11.5M U.S.D!! I'M SEEKING YOUR PARTNERSHIP
*Dear friend,*
*I am the international operations manager of ABSA bank South Africa. My
name is Franklin Buthelezi. I have a sensitive and private offer from the
top executive to seek your partnership in re-profiling some offshore
investment funds worth 11.5M U.S.D (Eleven Million five hundred thousand
United States Dollars) I am constrained however to withhold most of the
details for now. This is a legitimate transaction. *
*If we agree on the terms you will be given 15% of the total funds, if you
are interested please write back via email providing me your personal
details and phone number for further directives.*
*If you are interested and willing to render your assistance please respond
via my private email address stated below.*
*I look forward to your response.*
*Best regards*
*Franklin Buthelezi*
*Email: **franklin.buthelezi@post.com <franklin.buthelezi@post.com>*
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Anti-fraud resources:
