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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 united states dollars" (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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Yeo Liat Kok Philip" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <yeophilip@centrum.cz>
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:18:42 +0800
Subject: PRIVATE/ CONFIDENTIAL
Sir/Madam
My name is Mr. Yeo Liat Kok Philip. I work as an external auditor for the United Overseas Bank (UOB) Hong Kong. Working as part of a bigger team, that covers the entire Asia region. I have taken pains to find your contact through personal endeavours. On routine audit check last month, I discovered an investment account that has been dormant for the last five (5) years. The account belongs to a single holder with monies totalling ($27.1 Million United States Dollars). This set of facts is my reason for writing and making the following proposal to you.
The investor died in 2004 the exact time the account was last operated, I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died intestat and none of his next–of–kin was found or has come forward all these years. I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage and working with you can secure the funds in the account for the both of us and can be used for charity purposes, helping the needy instead of allowing it pass through as an unclaimed fund for the Authorities to share within themselves. This is 100% possible as you bear the same LAST NAME to the late investor and can stand as his extended relative. This exactly is why I need your participation and co-operation in this matter.
I have seized all relevant documents (Legal and Banking) that will facilitate my putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you any where in the World.
Your SHARE for this claim will be 30% from the total fund for your co-operation.
I shall however leave out the details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate with me. Be assured that I am on top of the situation. There will be NO risk involved whatsoever if you agree to come on board.
This should be kept as UTMOST CONFIDENTIAL between us.
I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and me from any breach of law.
To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal please contact me through fax or email stating the followings:
(1) Full Name (2) Telephone, Fax and Cell Phone Numbers (3) Postal Address(4) Occupation. Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Mr. Yeo Liat Kok Philip
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