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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "% will be for you" (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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "MRLOUIS WALLNER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrlouiswallners@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2011 22:58:21 -0700
Subject: RE 14-06-2011
Dear Friend.
RE: NEXT OF KIN / BENEFICIARY FOR US$20
I am sure that this letter will come to you as a surprise to you, but do not worry because I only found your name through internet searching and I decided to contact you for this business.
My name is Mr. Louis Wallner, a staff of one of the leading banks here in London and also a Member of the AMERICAN AND EUROPE BANKERS ASSOCIATION.
Twenty Millions US Dollars was deposited since 2000 in our bank and the beneficiary (Mr. Robert John) died in 2004 South Asia Tsunami with his family while on a holiday in Thailand.
All attempts to trace any of his relatives since his death were not successful. Now, I want you to stand as NEXT OF KIN / BENEFICIARY for these fund release to you and we will share this money together.
40% will be for you and 60% will be for me which I also intend to invest in Real Estate Business in your Country.
If you are interested, send me the followings through my email address stated above:-
Complete first and Last names
Complete Address
Phone and Fax Numbers
Date of Birth
Occupation
Marital Status
Please I want this deal to be very secret and should not be disclose to anyone. If you have any questions let me know ASAP.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Louis Wallner.
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Anti-fraud resources:
