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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:
- "huge amount 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 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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Stephen Knight" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrknightstephen@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2017 11:31:32 -0700
Subject: Acknowledge the receipt of this mail
Sir/ Madam
My name is Mr. Stephen Knight, personal accountant to Late Mr. Freeman Shumani owner Shumani farms, oil and gas Harare Ltd,Zimbabwe Southern Africa he was affected by President Mugabes land reform acts which is deprived him rights in all facets.
I apologize for inconveniences this message may bring especially coming from complete strangers. He deposited huge amount of money $16.850 Million dollars,in our bank branch in which I am in charge here in LONDON with the name of his foreign partner from your country who died of cancer last two years without claiming the fund he is from your country. Now both of them are no more. I have tired everything human possible to see if i can get any one of their relative but all my effort is fruitless and very soon the British government may take over the funds as unclaimed funds according to 2006 law. read
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5171222.stm
This funds is due for claim to anyone who can give the Bank every information of the account and the fund will be transfer to the person. My head office are not aware of and will never be aware of. I have placed this funds in an escrow call account with no beneficiary.and i am willing and ready to give to you all the information needed. I am willing and ready to disbursed or shared in these percentages 55% for me and 45% to you. All I need is to upload your names to the documents and legalize at the High Court in order to prove you.
So long you promise me that the funds will be safe in your account over there in your country.
If you are interested do get back to me for more information.
You may wish to read about the problems in Zimbabwe through the following links clearing any doubt proposition to ascertain my reasons of contacting you and the situation and really will appreciate if you will assist me. This business is 100% risk free.
http://news.bbc.co..uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6448559.stm
Waiting for your urgent response
Yours Truly,
Mr. Stephen Knight
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