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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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Wang Xin." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <marklauren47@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2012 12:41:04 +0100
Subject: What is your MOQ? Pleas send Quote.
Good-day,
We want to know the quantity that can contain 1x40ft container and also how many cartons can you load in 1x40ft.Please tell us means of payment and how many days it will take you to produce after Advance payment is remitted to your account.
I need you to get back to me very urgent because i need to make some order.
Best regards,
Mark Lauren
Managing Director.
CHINA OFFICE
TRADE HOUSE Co. LTD
address:50 Dockyard Beijing,China.
Phone: +86 10 0076 9080
Fax: +86 10 0076 7700.
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Anti-fraud resources:
