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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:
- "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- "your loan " (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- harrylaonplc@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Loan Company" <info@loan.com>
Reply-To: harrylaonplc@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:54:51 -0600
Subject: I WISH TO CONTACT YOU
Good Day,
How are you doing today? I am Mr. Musa a Certified Loan Lender who Offer
all Kinds of Loans at a Low rate of 3%.Are you in need of an Urgent Loan
for Business and to Pay off your Debt.
Then Apply for your Secured Loan now to pay off your bills, If you
seriously In need of Loan you are required to fill the below Informations
so that we can Proceed on your Loan Application.
LOAN APPLICATION FORM.
Loan Amount Needed:
Name Country:USA
Postal Code:
Valid Cell Phone Number:
Purpose Of Loan:
Occupation:
Monthly income
Gender:
Loan Duration
Nationality.
You shall be treated with the best of our resources until you get this
funds transferred into your account, and your quick and fast respond
determines how fast you shall be receiving your loan. Without any delay
Apply for your
best and easy Loan here with us. Please email to Us on Via
Email: harrylaonplc@yahoo.com.hk
Phone: +2348160297936
Kings Regard,
Mr larry musa
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