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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.
- 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.
- paulcoleman2007z@yahoo.co.jp (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Sir Coleman P." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulcoleman2007z@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 18:52:49 +0430
Subject: From Paul Coleman.
>From Mr.Paul Coleman.
I need your services in a confidential matter regarding consignment(fund)out
of a family beneficiary deposit. This requires a private arrangement.
You will receive these funds under legal claims; all legal documents will be
carefully worked out to ensure a risk free transfer. I am willing to pay a
generous management fee as well as appreciation as soon as this
transaction is completed.
I have all the details. The funds in question are quite large. I will expect a
straight answer from you. If you are willing to assist, indly furnish me with
your personal information which must include your direct cell phone and fax
number, your address and company name, then lets work out the modalities.
Please get back to me through my private email:paulcoleman2007z@yahoo.co.jp
Thanks as I expect to hear from you.
Mr.Paul Coleman.
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Anti-fraud resources: