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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:
- "million united states 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Steve Douglas <websender@gaspca.com.br>
Reply-To: steve.douglas@tchpcny.com
Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2017 12:45:17 -0200
Subject: Partnership
--
Greetings,
Re; Request for Partnership.
I have a mandate to source for a reliable and trustworthy prospect with
the experience to work with,a high profile client under a partnership /
loan arrangement in the investment of funds in excess of Five Hundred
Million United States Dollars.
Our group is a major player in investment in the
Africa,Europe,Middle-East and the United States of America. We believe
in pursuing a positive goal,in which your ideas can be enhanced to it
potential for mutual benefit as we seek new frontier and opportunities.
The investor is open to negotiation and all arrangements will be made
under a legitimate framework.
We look forward working with you.
Warmest Regards
Steve Douglas
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Anti-fraud resources:
