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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 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.NANA KOFI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nanakofi90@nokiamail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 10:08:55 -0700
Subject: INVESTMENT..
Dear,.
Sir;
A greeting, your swift response attention is needed. After going through your profile we are ready to work with your team I am a consultant; I have an Investor from Libya who is Interested for Investment in your Country if you can welcome him as an individual (Person) political for the , Partnership Establishment with you in Business.
His choice Investment is in Real Estate or Building a good School or Farm any Business that is good you may introduce to him as he did not know much about business World. Total investment worth $601,000,000(Six Hundred and one Million Dollars) which is on Transit .He is ready to offer 10% of the Total Sum for the Services.
if you can help to be in Partnership with him as you have good Economy power in your Country. In response to that send to me your Telephone / Fax Number for onward Communication
Yours Faithfully
Mr.NANA KOFI
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Anti-fraud resources:
