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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)
- "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)
- "chenguan1@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: chen guan <williammorrogh1@eircom.net>
Reply-To: chen guan <chenguan1@w.cn>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 03:44:01 +0100 (IST)
Subject: Business Proposition
Dear Friend,
I have a business proposal for you worth US$17,300,000.00,my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Ali Hussein who is late no body knows about so that you will be able to receive his funds.Please reply to my private email for more Details(chenguan1@w.cn) Thank you for your time and understanding
Kind Regards,
Mr. Chen Guan.
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Anti-fraud resources:
