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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- 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.
- alfuttaimconsult@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: AL-FUTTAIM GROUP <info@alfuttaim.com>
Reply-To: alfuttaimconsult@gmail.com
Date: 27 Apr 2010 18:46:20 +0200
Subject: BUSINESS PARTNERS NEEDED
Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Greetings,
Al-Futtaim Investment Management Board invite you to be part and
benefit in Her Loan and Project Funding program. This is an improved
and efficient way of obtaining non-secured loan and funding for
various projects without the normal rigorous processes. This funding
package is designed to allow the client a period of 5-7 years for re-payment,
back with a low interest rate of 4.5% per annum.
May you avail yourself of this opportunity and obtain transaction loan
up to $500,000,000.00 or more. We are interested in having a good
business collaboration with you, if you think you have a solid
background and idea of making good profit in any business sector,
please write me for possible business co-operation.
Email:alfuttaimconsult@gmail.com
Regards,
Chairman/Director (AL-FUTTAIM GROUP)
Email:alfuttaimconsult@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
