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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:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "adnineadd@aol.jp" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mark Williams <skybusinessouaga@gmail.com>
Reply-To: adnineadd@aol.jp
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2015 08:54:44 -0700
Subject: Greetings
Greetings
This message might meet you in utmost surprise; however, it's just my
urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this
transaction. I am a Banker by profession and currently holding the post of
Director in charge of auditing and accounting unit.
I have the opportunity of transferring ($15 Million USD) Fifteen million
United State dollars, an investor and a contractor with the Kruger diamond
mines who died without naming a legal next of kin to his fund in my bank.
First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction. I
also solicit your assistance to enable us transfer the said amount into
your safe account for onward investment.
You will be given 35% of the total amount 65% will be for me and my Bank
Colleagues who will help make this business a success.
If you accept this offer to work with me I will give you details on how we
can achieve it successfully. Please contact me with this email address: (
adnineadd@aol.jp)
Kindly email your following information
A. Your Full Name And Age.
B. Private telephone.
C. Identification/Occupation.
I will appreciate your urgent response so that I will give you more details
concerning this transaction. Sorry if you received this letter in your spam
mail, Due to recent connection error here in my country.
I humbly look forward to your soonest response.
Your Faithful
Mr. Mark Williams
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