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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand great british pounds" (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.
- tomas.75donnelly@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Thomas Donnelly <thomas.donnelly9@aol.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2016 03:36:52 -0500
Subject: Please reply me soon...
Hello dear
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
when I prayed to good GOD about you before making this request.
I am a banker by profession in United Kingdom, and currently holding
the post of assistant foreign remittance director in our bank.
I have the opportunity of transferring the left over fund,£7.2M (Seven
Million Two Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds)
of one of my bank clients who died along side with his entire family in
an auto crash while on a vacation.
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 i receive your return mail immediately you receive
this letter.
Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for
more clarification and easy communication.
Contact me via my private email with the following information:
(1) Your Full name.
(2) TelePhone #.
(3) Mobile #
(4) Contact Address.
(5) Profession, Age and Marital Status.
(6) Country of Residence and Origin.
(7) Occupation.
Hoping to hear from you immediately through my private email address @
( tomas.75donnelly@hotmail.co.uk )
Kindest regards,
Thomas Donnelly.
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Anti-fraud resources:
