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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:
- "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)
- "loan agreement" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "larry" <larrybrownloanfirm0288@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: larrybrownloanfirm02@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:17:04 +0300 (EEST)
Subject:
This is a Financial Service Announcement, we offer loan to all in need,
ranging from $5000 to $800,000.00 USD. Our interest rate is 3% and our
service and terms are dependable. any interested person should apply via
email us Via(mohammedloan02.com).
FILL AND BELOW APPLICATION FORM
Name........................Country......................Amount...........................Loan
Duration.............................Contact Phone
Number...............................Age................Sex......................Purpose
Of Loan.................and you must be able and willing to be paying the
monthly payment and sign the loan agreement document from the lawyer, any
one who upkeep the above law can apply and fill the application details.
Thanks And God Bless For Your Co-peration,
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Anti-fraud resources:
