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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- ola_smith100@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Olabode Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ola.smith777@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2011 04:33:23 -0700
Subject: LET ME HEAR FROM YOU.
May I Apologise for intruding into your privacy.
My Name is Mr.Ola Smith Working for The NORTH COUNTY BANK U.K.I have a Business proposition for you involving a huge sum of money (Eighteen Million United State Dollars) Belonging to one of my client who died long time ago(May His Gentle Soul Rest In Peace)I want to move the funds out of my Bank but will need your help.
I decided to seek for your permission before giving you the details.If you will be so kind enough to grant me the permission, I will be glad to give the details. Thank you for your time and I will be waiting for your response. Please reply me back via email at: ola_smith100@hotmail.com
Regards,
Mr.Ola Smith
(External Auditor Accountant).
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Anti-fraud resources:
