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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "million 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)
- 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.
- jameskings339@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Sgt. JAMES KINGS ." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jameskings339@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 6 May 2016 11:19:06 -0700
Subject: Good day dear!
I will like you to read and reply urgently; if you are sure you will not betray my trust. Please if you cannot assist me i plead with you to maintain maximum confidentiality of this classified information. My Name is SGT JAMES KINGS From San Diego California .I'm commanding officer in charge of the united state Special forces unit 4 of the 2nd Infantry Military Division. on our third special raid in an oil installation in region of Diabaly Northern Mali last Night On advancing close to the rebel positions, the rebels hurriedly vacated their military camp, taking the few things they could lay their hands. As we tried to comb the terrorist camp and check if there is any bomb ambush; the soldiers in my Unit of command discovered a huge sum of money in US Dollar notes and raw gold loaded in a metal box abandoned by the rebels. The total cash money is 11.6 million US dollars. All valuables are in my custody currently as the unit commander. I intend to keep the money for myself as my com
pensation in the war.Mean
If you are interested reply to: jameskings339@yahoo.com
I will furnish you with more details.
Awaiting your urgent response.
Your Buddy.
Sgt. JAMES KINGS .
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