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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:
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: George A W <george_w@mail2george.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:40:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: 18/04/2010
Hello,
I came across your contact via online profiles in my earnest search for the right person to handle a transaction with me and I apologize if the content of my mail or method of approach are contrary to your moral ethics, but I had to reach you through this medium.
I have a proposition and i will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished.
Now my questions are:
1. Can you handle a financial project of exceeding US$16M?
2. Can I give you this financial trust as a trustee/stake holder ?
If yes, get back to me as soon as Possible and if No, your time reading this mail was well appreciated.
Thank you.
Mr. George A.W
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Anti-fraud resources:
