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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.
- 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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- 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.
- walterscliff@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Walter Cliff <sssssusan2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: walterscliff@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:46:17 +0200
Subject: Good Day
*Good Day*
* I only got your contact details from the South Africa Exchange
Information On-line Service on my personal programmed search on the
internet for a reputable company or individual to assist me sincerely &
confidential which your information & profiles were very satisfactory; so I
decided to contact you immediately. It is my great pleasure to write you
this letter. *
*Within the Department of Minerals & Energy where I work as a Director of
Audit and Project Implementation; I have in my possession an overdue
payment in US funds. The said funds represent certain percentage of the
total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign
contracting firm; which; I the official over-invoiced to the amount of
US$14; 200; 000.00 (Fourteen Million Two Hundred Thousand US Dollars).
Though the actual contract cost has been paid to the original contractor;
leaving the excess balance unclaimed. Since the present elected Government
is determined to pay foreign contractors all debts owed; so as to maintain
good relationship with foreign governments and non-government agencies; we
included our bills for approvals with the Department of Finance and the
South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB). *
*I am seeking your assistance to front as beneficiary of the unclaimed
funds; since I am not allowed to operate foreign accounts. Details and
change of beneficiary information upon application for claim to reflect
payment and approvals will be secured on behalf of your Company. I have to
propose that should you be willing to assist me in this transaction your
share as compensation will be (35%); I receive (60%) and the balance of
(5%) for taxation and miscellaneous expenses incurred during the transfer
process. *
*The business is completely safe and secure; provided you treat it with
Utmost confidentiality. It does not matter whether your Company does
contract projects; as a transfer of powers will be secured in favor of your
Company. Also; your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the
successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in
you and hope that you will not disappoint me. *
*Your urgent response please. *
*Thanks for your co-operation. *
*Regards,*
*Mr. Walter Cliff*
*N.B Please email your confidential Telephone and Fax numbers to enable me
contact you for further.*
*(walterscliff@hotmail.com <walterscliff@hotmail.com>)*
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