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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Hashim Al-Atassi Mohammed." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mohammed.hashimal-atassi@yandex.com>
Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 02:44:39 +0530
Subject: URGENT INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE IN YOUR COUNTRY
Dear Sir,
I do recognize the surprise this letter will bring to you, most especially as it came from a stranger. My name is Hashim Al-Atassi Mohammed a citizen of Syria. I am presently seeking asylum here in your country under Amnesty and Human Rights International, United Nations Organization. I am planning to have a viable Investment in your country, but due to my present predicament I am unable to do this directly. I realize its easy for me to invest in your country in as much as i have a partner who is a citizen in your country. I need your assistance in the area of funds transfer and investment, and I shall give full details upon your reply.
Hashim Al-Atassi Mohammed.
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Anti-fraud resources:
