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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:
- "million pounds" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Chio Hung" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chiohung1@rediffmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:59:46 -0000
Subject: Financial inheritance
Hello,
Inflation is rising everywhere due to the financial meltdown, and so is the cost of living but I have got a Nine million pounds proposal for you which will be of benefit to both of us.
I am a lawyer and i have sat on a 9 year forgotten financial inheritance. In few weeks time, this fund will be transferred to the state as required by law but not if we both collaborate and share the proceeds 60/40. Your part would be to receive the funds as the beneficiary and I will prepare the required documents and in just day's the funds would be transferred to you. Please reply this mail stating full name, age and phone details if you are interested. So i can start the claims process.
Many thanks in advance as i look forward to our partnership and trust.
Barr Mrs Chio Hung.
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Anti-fraud resources:
