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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand us 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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- 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.
- rev.dr.jpeter@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: CHRIS ANDREW <candrew2011@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 13:08:31 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT REVEREND FOR YOUR COMPENSATION MONEY DEAR FRIEND ,
I AM VERY MUCH HAPPY TO INFORM YOU ABOUT MY SUCCESS IN GETTING THAT FUNDS NOW,I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD EFFORT,NOW I WANT YOU TO CONTACT MY BANK FOR YOUR CHEQUE
ON THIS INFORMATION BELOW THESE REQUESTED INFORMATION'S.
YOUR FULL NAME
ADDRESS,
AGE,
OCCUPATION
TELEPHONE
COUNTRY
ID CARD
REVEREND DR.JAMES PETER
EMAIL. rev.dr.jpeter@gmail.com
TELEPHONE +229 6868 6809
ASK THEM TO SEND YOU THE TOTAL SUM $2.500.000.00 TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS IN A INTERNATIONAL CASHIER DRAFT WHICH I KEPT FOR YOUR COMPENSATION.
YOURS SINCERELY
CHRIS ANDREW
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Anti-fraud resources:
