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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:
- "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. WILLIAMS SMITH" <smith_telexdept@live.co.za>
Reply-To: "MR. WILLIAMS SMITH" <smith.bidvestelexdept@live.co.za>
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 05:28:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Bank Transaction Ref Number: 900076695
Attn: The Manager / Director Ceo;
Sir/Madam,
It's my pleasure to contact you and facilitate a legitimate funds Transfer from
our Bank for Investment project through your Company or personally with you as
the Company's Cooperate Associate. Meanwhile, I will send you the telegraphic
transfer details on your prompt reply.
MR. WILLIAMS SMITH
Manager:Foreign Exchange Operations Dept.,
Office Tel: 0027-86- 6058414 / Fax: 0027-86-5581775
Copyright © 2011 BidVest Bank of South Africa All rights reserved.
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Anti-fraud resources:
