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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:
- "million united states 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)
- 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.
- fredbanks234@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Fred Banks" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fredbanks234@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:39:28 -0600
Subject: PROJECT:
INVESTMENT PROPOSAL...!!!
May I introduce to you a resourceful and well drafted investment agenda that is very well secured, realizable without violating any known law. The investment fund to be transferred is Forty Eight Million United States Dollars; which could be moved in tranches (i.e. bit by bit).
I will furnish you better details and further information, particulars and clarification once I receive your response, interest and willingness to partner and work with me for the successful conclusion of this entire project.
Trusting and genuinely believing that we shall both achieve this on proper terms and conditions spelt out and agreeable by both of us.
I anticipate your urgent answer through my private and dedicated email: fredbanks234@aol.com
My sincerest regards,
Mr. Fred Bankole
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Anti-fraud resources:
