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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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "LEADING BUSINESS CONSULTANCY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <markfish_leadconsultancy@cafuc.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:31:49 +0530
Subject: INDIAN BUSINESS PARTNER NEEDED
Dear Friend,
My Name is Mr Mark Fish ( British Citizen) a business consultant based in London My search for a trustworthy Indian national led me to contact you through the internet
My Proposal:There is a multi-national Wrist Watch & Jewries Branding Company based in the Europe whom I would like you to stand in as a middleman between me and American Jewries Branding
Company in the USA.
I am acting as their consultant; This Company will visit your country to buy their raw materials in a huge quantity.,This company procures most of their raw materials from India since the past 5
years. The company will pay 50% upfront upon verification of the samples of the materials.I am looking for a reliable person/businessman that understands the Indian local language who will assist me in contacting the local dealer of this product in India.
I have called the local dealer many times, but could not understand the local language or rather my accent, to enable me negotiates the terms of the supply with them.
This proposal is 100% risk free and will be another income generating business outside your
specialization. I will give you more details of this proposal the moment I hear from you.
I anticipate hearing from you urgently.
Best
regards,
.............
Leading Business Consultancy
48 Chancery
Lane
London WC2A 1JF
Tel;+44- 871 915314
Fax;+44
(0)8447744728
www.leadingconsultancy.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
