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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:
- "million british 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)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Morgan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <moore.moore60@live.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:05:50 +0100
Subject: PROJECT .........
Hello Friend,
I am Mr. Morgan Hill, a Real Estate Agent based in the United Kingdom.One of my clients need your sincere co-operation to be His NEXT OF KIN in your Country for joint investment under your direction and supervison. He has over £10M (Ten Million British Pounds Sterling) to invest in Real Estate and Hospitality Industry .I suppose you are aware of the present Global Economic crisis. I strongly believe that this will be a very good opportunity for us to buy homes, goods and choice properties in your country. Please kindly get back to me if you can partner and assist in this project.I will advise that you include your full contact details so that we can discuss more on it and commence the process . Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries or clarification. I strongly assure you that there is no risk whosoever involved in this transaction. Please direct all replies to my official box : mmorganhill2009@aol.com
Thanks for your anticipated co-operation and positive consideration.I await your full details in your next mail .
Kind Regards,
Mr. Morgan Hill
SEND YOUR DETAILS TO MY OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESS : mmorganhill2009@aol.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
