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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Edwin Moore" <edwm3@att.net>
Reply-To: <edwmoore68@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:19:57 -0800
Subject: Letter From Ed Moore..
Attention Please!
I am looking for your cooperation in having establishing some business
investments on REAL ESTATES and HOTELS or any other LUCRATIVE INVESTMENT
in your country worth of US$17,500,000.00.
I propose to make you my representative/manager therein and am offering
you 10% of the total amount to be transferred to your country for your
help in receiving this fund US$17,500,000.00.) into your designated bank
account after being transferred from Ghana.
I contacted you since i do not know any other person in your country, i am
a refugee here in Ghana. Your information was realized by me during my
search on your country's e-mail directories.
Urgently indicate your interest to this proposal and send me your
telephone numbers on your reply to me for our oral communication too.
Regards
Edwin Moore.
Remain blessed as you reliably help me out.
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Anti-fraud resources:
