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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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.
- ttsjonas@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Titus Jonas <titusjonas90@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 19:58:27 +0000
Subject:
From: Titus Jonas,
LOME- TOGO,
Dear Friend,
This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it all just my
urgent need for a foreign partner that made me to contact you for this
transaction. i got your contact from yahoo tourist search while i was
searching for a foreign partner. i assured of your capability. And
reliability to champion this business opportunity.
I am a banker by profession in Togo, and currently holding the post of
assistant foreign remittance director in our bank. i have the opportunity
of transferring the left over funds ($11.2 million dollars) of one of my
bank clients who died along with his entire family in a plane crash. Hence;
I am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared
between us in the ratio of 60/40% if you agree to my business proposal.
Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as receive
your return mail immediately you receive this letter.
Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for more
clarification and easy communication. Please Contact Me in This (
ttsjonas@gmail.com)
(1) Your Full name..............................
(2) Your Contact address....................... .
(3) Your phone and fax number...................
(4) Your Age....................................
(5) YOUR COUNTRY NAME...........................
(6) Your Occupation...........…………..............
(7) Your Private E-mail.........................
Hoping to hear from you immediately
Yours faithfully
Titus Jonas;
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Anti-fraud resources:
