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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 us 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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Adams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <george.georgeadams.adams9@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 16:37:09 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL
From: Mr. George Adams
Dear Sir,
Compliments of the season to you.
on behalf of Mr. Kim Woo Choong.
Mr. Kim Woo Choong is looking for an experienced business person/company
that can profitably invest monies in excess of $90M million US Dollars.
The sum of money will be paid from African Development Bank
Group, Republic Du Benin-Cotonou.
Most importantly, you will be required to:
[1]. Act as the original beneficiary of the funds.
[2]. Receive the funds into a business/private bank account.
[3]. Invest/Manage the funds in a country where you are most likely to be
familiar with the trade and investment tax policy.
Mr. Kim Woo Choong is willing to pay 10% for your role as the beneficiary
partner to the funds. Also, a subsequent 10% "Management Commission" will be
paid for your advised investment services. A further 5% will be used to
write off any expenses incurred in the course of transferring the principal
sum. If you prefer to be re-contacted for more express information, please
send us your:
[1] Full Names:
[2] Contact address:
[3] Direct Telephone No:
We expect your correspondence and further details will be relayed to you
without delays.
Best regards,
Mr. George Adams(UK)
Tel No:+44-759-948-2438
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Anti-fraud resources:
