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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.
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Richard Gayle" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <richee.gee@excite.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 23:19:57 -0000
Subject: CAN YOU BE TRUSTED???
Good Day!
l am Richard Gayle, a credit officer at Lloyds TSB Group Plc Uk.
I have a proposal to discuss with you concerning one of our Deceased customers who is a national of your country.
As soon as I hear from you and once we are in agreement.
I will be needing your assistance in making some business investments in real estate, oil & gas and any other lucrative sphere of business in your country.
Owing to the urgency of this transaction, I will appreciate an immediate response from you to confirm the receipt of my mail.
As soon as I get a response from you,I shall furnish you with details of the transaction and the urgency at which I need to get the funds transferred out of England.
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.
Regards,
Richard.
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Anti-fraud resources:
