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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:
- "hundred thousand 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: "Dr.Charles Williams" <charleswilliams@mail.kz>
Reply-To: williams4charles@sify.com
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:16:47 GMT
Subject: Urgent and Confidential
Urgent and Confidential
Dear Partner,
I want to transfer ($17,300.000.00 ) seventen million three hundred thousand United States Dollars from here in Burkina Faso to overseas account.
Your assistance as a foreigner is necessary because the management of the bank will welcome any foreigner who has correct information to this account which I will give to you immediately, if you are interested to do this business with me.Please reply with the assurance, include your private telephone and fax numbers, it is necessary to facilitate an easy communication in this transaction. As soon as you reply, so that i will let you know the next step to follow in order to finalize this transaction immediately. I expect your urgent communication.
Upon your response and strong assurance that you will not let me down once the fund goes into your account. I will let you know the origin of the fund and the transfer procedures without delay. Please call me on +22675145555
(FILL THIS FORM BELLOW PLEASE AND RESENDIT TO ME)
1) Your FullName:-.................................
2) YourAge:-............................................
3) MaritalStatus:-.....................................
4) Your CellPhone Number:-..................
5) Your FaxNumber:-................... ...........
6) YourCountry:-......................................
7) YourOccupation:-.............. ..................
8)Sex:-.....................................................
9)Your Religion:-.....................................
10) YourPrivate E-mail Adress:...............
Yours Sincierely
Dr.Charles Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
