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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Gary Asmores" <fahadkhurshid2003@yahoo.de>
Reply-To: dr.garyasmores@centrum.sk
Date: Sun, 16 May 2010 15:54:17 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Re: YOU ARE ACCEPTED- (HERE IS THE APPROVAL)
Re: YOU ARE ACCEPTED- (HERE IS THE APPROVAL)
Attention: dear Friend,
I am looking for your cooperation in building a Touris Hotel or Real Estate in your country. I shall provide the entire funds required to set up this huge project. I am sorry if this is not in line with your business but I need an assistance to set up and to develop this project.
On the resumption of the project, you will be made one of the Directors for the role and the assistance you rendered. You will also be entitled to a cetain percentage agreed upon before the commencement of the project.
Your immediate reply will be highly appreciated and I shall give you more information on this project.
Your name:
Your address:
Phone number:
Private e-mail address:
Thanks and God bless.
Dr. G. Asmores
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Anti-fraud resources:
