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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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Kate <jameskte@barid.com>
Reply-To: jameskate@barid.com
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 08:47:07 +0000
Subject: URGENT INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE CONSULTATION ///
Dear Greeting to you.
Please, may you receive this letter with peace of mind and with due
respect as it may be very strange to you as we have not communicated
or know each other before. I am looking for your co-operation in
building a Tourist Hotel or Real Estate in Your country. I am sorry if
this is not in line with your business. I need an experienced person
to assist me to set up, develop the project with $5.4M, which I
inherited from my late father.
On the resumption of the project, you will be made a Director for the
role and the assistance you rendered. You will also be entitled to a
percentage agreed upon between us before the commencement of the
project. Your immediate reply will be highly appreciated and I shall
give you more information on this project. I will be very happy to
receive your acceptance reply to help me to accomplish this plan to
come to your country with my junior sister to further our educations
while you will be managing the investments on our behalf. Please
kindly assist us for the sake of God and humanity. We are anxiously
waiting for your acceptance reply to assist us.
We beg for the confidentiality of this message as we will wait for
your urgent and kind response with your full information details.
Remain blessed!
James and Kate.
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Anti-fraud resources:
