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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ted Lawrence" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 02:19:11 +1100
Subject: Please Respond
Greetings,
We seek an investment forum and a partner who is willing to partner with us in investment. We also state that due to the position of people involved, this deal must be treated as private and confidential. We have an excess revenue capital volume of over $65 million dollars which we can invest in your country with you. The funds are currently in liquid securities for safety until remittance to partner. We seek potential partner/investor who is capable of dealing in it. We have the necessary contacts and set arrangement to aid such partner without problem. We will offer you 35% of this fund.
Contact me if you are interested with all your direct contact detail and let us spell out the detail , terms and conditions.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks
Ted Lawrence
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Anti-fraud resources:
