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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:
- "million pounds" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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.
- mr.dean_jones@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.DEAN JONES" <mr.dean_jones28@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mr.dean_jones@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:55:22 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY
GOOD DAY
My name is Mr Dean Jones,
I the Chief Executive Director of a bank here in Scotland United Kingdom. I am
in search of an agent to
assist in the transfer of {£15,000,000.00} Fifteen Million pounds sterlings.
And subsequent investment in properties in
your country.
You will be required to:
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum into your account
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 40% of the total
sum will be offered to you. 10% will be set aside for any expenses
encountered during the transfer.Pls, quickly send your phone and fax numbers.I
await your response,You can contact me with this email
address:mr.dean_jones@yahoo.com.hk
Your faithfully,
Mr. Dean Jones.
Anti-fraud resources: