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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand us 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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- frankedward3000@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Smith Collins" <info@smithcollins.net>
Reply-To: <frankedward970@aim.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 01:14:52 +0100
Subject: Thank You For Your Assistance (Contact My Secretary For Your Compensation)
Dear Friend
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting the
fund transferred to a Swiss Account with the co-operation of a
new partner from paraguay who is an international business man.
Presently I'm in Paraguay for investment projects with my
own share of the total sum. Meanwhile, I did not forget your past
efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite
that it failed us some how.
Now contact my secretary, his contact is:
Name: Mr Frank Edward
Email:frankedward3000@aim.com
I have concluded the wire transfer arrangment with the bank,
Ask him to guide you on how to transfer the total $500.000.00 (FIVE
Hundred
Thousand US Dollars)to your self,ensure you use the above email to
contact
him.
Best Regards.
Dr.Smith Collins
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Anti-fraud resources:
