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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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- johnbestman@citromail.hu (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: John Bestman <vuzifrank01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: johnbestman@citromail.hu
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2021 06:28:12 -0800
Subject: Partnership Proposal
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Greetings!
Please note that the use of this medium of such matter is for
confidentiality purposes
I am Mr. John Bestman, The Private Accountant and Auditor of the
reputable Bank in my Country. Your reputation / profile motivated me
to contact you for a possible partnership in commissionable benefits.
I need your service / assistance in a confidential matter regarding
the transfer of the amount of money worth Forty Million United States
Dollars (USD $ 40M-USD).
An investor and a former contractor with the Kruger diamond mines died
due to COVID-19 related without naming the legal next of kin to his
fund in my bank. The amount is Forty Million United State Dollars ($
40M-USD) and banking regulation legislation in my country demands that
I notify the fiscal authorities after 12 calendar months.
Further details will be given upon your response or reply indicating
your interest. Below are my personal contact details for our further
oral communication. Also furnish with your private telephone numbers
and alternative private email address if any, for confidential
communications.
Send your reply to my private email address (johnbestman@citromail.hu)
with your full names, contact details, and contact address, if
interested and able to assist / render the
services required.
Regards,
Mr. John Bestman
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Anti-fraud resources:
