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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- email.jamesmathins448@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.JAMES MATHINS" <mrcollins99@cantv.net>
Reply-To: jamesmathins448@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2016 22:41:01 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY
--
Dear Sir/Madam
I am pleased to solicit your sincere and urgent assistance
over this
matter, my name is (MrJAMES MATHINS) .I am seeking for your
co-operation and devotion in building a company or Real
Estate in your
country,
My investors are looking to fund any lucrative
business/project that
needs more in funds to invest on. My investor ideal offer
would be USD
20,000,000.00 BUT not above. I seek for a cooperation from
you as an
individual who specialize in viable projects and business
grants. My
investor finance programs are unmatched and are ready to
fund on
serious and financially stimulated businesses.
Send me a PM of your business proposal or link me to a
website. I am
looking for people who already have a business and are
successful or
people who have a solid business plan who are ready to
startup their
dream. I will review and agree to the most promising and
enticing
business proposals provided to me.
Please be as detailed as possible and PDF files are more
than welcome
for a review.
Thank you in advance for a good working relationship.
Reply me through my private email.jamesmathins448@yahoo.com
Thanks
Mr.JAMES MATHINS
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