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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 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: "Reality Investment Group" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <realityinvest_group@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 08:36:41 +0100
Subject: Urgent Responsed Needed.
Attn:Intended Partner, ,
We are brokering an Investment deal in your country on behalf of this client of our institution. This deal will involve the
eventual investment of US$ 28 M. (Twenty Eight Million Dollars) in your country.
I am by this letter offering you partnership, so as to allow us have you as representative and manager of invested funds in
your country. Since I can not determine if this email is still functional and also your willingness I have kept this proposal
brief.
If you are interested in this offer of partnership, please responsed and give me your full contact details (as preferred for
this interaction) plus company profile and in response we will send you an elaborate proposal and details of this offer.
Your expedient response will be appreciated.
Thank you.
Winifred Smith.
Public Relations Officer.
Reality Investment Group.
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Anti-fraud resources:
