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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024095778 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- apex_financeplc@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "APEX FINANCE PLC" <info@apexfinanceplc.co.uk>
Reply-To: apex_financeplc@rocketmail.com
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2011 21:08:20 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Loan offer at 3%, apply now!!!
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Dear Clients:
Do you need financial advancement??? They say opportunity do not knock twice. But with the APEX
FINANCE PLC, you can get the cheapest and affordable loan at a low percentage rate of 3% yearly.
Contact us with the information below if you are interested in getting a business loan, home loan,
and any other financial assistance.
1.Loan Amount Needed:
2. Duration of the loan:
3. Purpose of loan:
4.Country:
Send all application to this email: apex_financeplc@rocketmail.com
With us, opportunities can't stop knocking !!!
Regards,
PAUL EDISON
LOAN MANAGER
APEX FINANCE PLC
Tel: +447024095778
Mobile: +447045760950
Email: apex_financeplc@rocketmail.com
Office address:
14 High Street
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 3AW
©2011
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Anti-fraud resources:
