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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- ",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)
- "00,000.00" (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.
- robertsonroy1414@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Secure Loan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robertsonroy1414@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2013 18:20:28 +0100
Subject: Secure loan for your project
I am a retired chartered accountant and broker to investors who are ready to partner in projects,
business and give loans to prospective companies.
My investors are looking to fund any lucrative business/project that needs €100,000,000.00 Euro or
more in funds. My investor ideal offer would be €500,000,000.00 Euro BUT not above. I seek for a
cooperation from you as an individual who specialize in viable projects and business grants. My
investor finance programs are unmatched and are ready to fund on serious and financially stimulated
businesses.
Send me a PM of your business proposal or link me to a website. I am looking for people who already
have a business and are successful or people who have a solid business plan who are ready to start
up their dream. I will review and agree to the most promising and enticing business proposals
provided to me.
Please be as detailed as possible and PDF files are more than welcome for a review. Thank you in
advance for a good working relationship.
Best regards,
Robertson
Email:robertsonroy1414@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
