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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:
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "your loan " (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!)
- "info@westerndeposits.org" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Western Deposit Service" <platinum95@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: info@westerndeposits.org
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 10:06:12 -0700
Subject: APPLY FOR SECURED AND UNSECURE LOAN WITH MAXINUM SECURITY
Are you looking for a business investment loan urgently? do you need personal loan, we give secured and unsecured loan, venture capital. Does your firm, company or industry need financial assistance? Do you need finance to start your business? Do you need finance to expand your business? We give out all kinds of secure loan and unsecure loan with good faith. Our loans are well insured for maximum security. Whatever your loan needs are, we are ready to talk with you about how we can meet your needs. Contact us now through email with your Amount needed to start your application now. We await your urgent response.
Regards,
Western Depositts service
info@westerndeposits.org
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Anti-fraud resources:
