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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:
- "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- "privateloanfirm@w.cn" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
- "privateloanfirm@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "PRIVATE LOAN FIRM INC." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <privateloanfirm@w.cn>
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2011 01:22:21 -0000
Subject: Loan Offer!
Do you need financial advancement this year? They say opportunity do not
knock twice. But with Private Loan Firm Corporation, you can get the
cheapest and affordable loan at a low percentage rate of 5%
yearly. Contact us with the information below if you are interested in
getting a business loan, home loan, and any other financial assistance.
1. Full Names:
2. Contact Address:
3. Loan Amount Needed:
4. Duration of the loan.
5. Direct telephone number:
Send all application to this email: privateloanfirm@w.cn
With us, opportunities can't stop knocking !!!
Regards,
Mrs Hannah Feyang.
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Anti-fraud resources:
