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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:
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Hans Terje <eidehans@mysinamail.com>
Reply-To: eterjekristian@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2011 01:57:15 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Humanitarian Project
Humanitarian Project
Hello dear, my names are Eide Hans Terje Kristian suffering from
Leukemia/Lung Cancer which my doctor has confirmed that days are no
longer at my favor due to condition of my health. Knowing my
situation, I decided to set a humanitarian project through you which I
know that you will not betray the love of God directing me to your
hand. Bear in mind that I took this difficult decision as a human
being because I have no family that could have inherited this funds
(8.4 million Euros). Urgently get back to me with your personal
details including your ID so that I will take it to my bank in other
to introduce you officially to their office to enable my bank
establish a direct comunication with you for the transfer of these
funds to your account. Your delays answering to this message will
create an avenue looking for another hand that will give urgent
attention to this transaction as an assistance to meet my objectives.
Best regards
Eide Hans Terje Kristian
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Anti-fraud resources:
