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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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Paulson Ang" <paul_ang_co@yahoo.com.my>
Reply-To: "Mr.Paulson Ang" <paulsonang@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:56:06 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Mr.paulson Ang
Dear Friend,
It's
my pleasure to acquaint you with this proposal for a financial and
business assistance.I know my message will come to you as a surprise.
Don't
worry I was totally convinced to write you in reference to the transfer
of Ten million Five hundred thousand (USD$10.5M ) United States of
America Dollars to your account for onward investment ( Hotel industries
and Estate building management) or any profitable business in your
country.
Please reply immediately if you are interested ,so that I
can give you more information. Remain blessed while expecting your
prompt co-operation.
Best Regards
Mr.paulson Ang
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Anti-fraud resources:
