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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a orphan scam.
- 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.
- wmelissa19@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Melissa Williams <info.officemanagement@tim.it>
Reply-To: wmelissa19@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 31 May 2017 15:09:06 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Hello My Dear Friend
Hello My Dear Friend
First of all I will like to thank you for given your attention to read my mail i live in Russia but my country of origin is California and my name is Mellissa Williams the Wife of late Mr. Gorgers Williams ,I pray that my plan with you Shall be of good success. After reading my message please kindly get back To me.
It's my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which i intend to Establish in your country. Though I have not met with you before but I believe, One has to risk confidence in someone to succeed sometimes in life. There is this amount of 11.5 million U.S dollars (US$11.500, 000.00) Which my late husband kept in a security company before he was Assassinated by unknown persons on his trip to France.
Now I and my daughter have decided to invest this money in your country or Anywhere safe enough for security and political reasons. We want you to help us
To transfer these funds to your account for investment.
Purposes on the followings below:
1). Telecommunication
2). Automobile manufacturing
3). Five star hotel
I will give you more information consigning the transfer.
i am waiting for your response.
My Regards.
Melissa Williams.
wmelissa19@yahoo.com
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