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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- choo_le111@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "CHOO LEONG" <choo_le111@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2006 04:55:06 +0800
Subject: Your Urgent Attention Is Required
You can now email me at: choo_le111@yahoo.com
Dear Friend,
RE: BUSINESS PROPOSAL / STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
Let me start by introducing myself to you, I am Choo Leong, Chief operating Officer of the AFFIN BANK MALAYSIA. I saw your contact during my private search in the internet and I want to accept as true that you will be very honest, unswerving and capable of assisting in this business venture.
To begin with, let me explain the source of this funds and what you are expected to do. A foreigner, Late Wellstone Paul David who was a senator till his tragic death on 25th October 2002 in a plane crash that killed Wellstone Paul David, his wife Sheila, daughter Marcia, and five others near Eveleth, Minnesota. Until his death some years ago he had a functional account with the AFFIN BANK MALAYSIA. The deceased Late Wellstone Paul David banked with us and had a closing balance as at 6th January 2003 worth $,8.700,000,(eight million seven hundred thousand united states dollars. My bank now expects a next-of-kin to claim the funds as the beneficiary. Efforts have been made by to get in touch with the Late Wellstone Paul David family or relative but to no avail.
Based on the perceived possibility of not being able to locate Late Wellstone Paul David relatives, the management under the influence of our chairman and the board of directors are making arrangements for the funds to be declared unclaimed and channeled to an unknown account. It is based on this that Ihave contacted you to stand as the next-of-kin of Late Wellstone Paul David so that the funds, will be released and paid into your account as the beneficiary/next-of-kin to the deceased.
All documents to enable you get the funds have been carefully worked out as I have secured documents from the different offices concerned for the smooth transfer of the fund to your nominated account. It has been agreed that you will be compensated with 30% of the remitted funds, while I keep 60% as my share and 10% is been set aside for both local and international expenses that might be incurred in actualizing this transaction.
If this proposal satisfies you, please reach me either by mail;
choo_le111@yahoo.com
for more clarification about how this will be done
Yours faithfully,
Choo Leong.
FILL THIS FORM IMMDIATELY
Full Name__________________________________________________________
Residential Address______________________________________________
Nationality____________________________________________________
City__________________________________________________________
Age_______________________________________________________
Marital status_________________________________________
Occupation___________________________________________
Cell Phone Number_________________________________
Fax Number___________________________________
- Choo Leong
- Choo Leong
Anti-fraud resources:
