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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.J CHEONG" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <infochon12@yahoo.com.tw>
Date: Mon, 19 May 2014 23:46:07 -0400
Subject: RE-20-05-2014 RD
Attention: Sir/Madam.
I am Mr.J Cheong, i work with A Bank but I have stop working in the Bank because
of this project,i wish to place your name as the beneficiary to $10.5 Million
Dollars, due to the death of the depositor who died many years ago along with her
family.
I assure you that this transaction will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law both in your country
and here, once the fund is transfer to you.therefore i solicit for your
cooperation to be in collaboration with me to have this done,it will be release
to you any where in the world you want. I will need you to provide the following
information urgently to enable my attorney start the processing of all Vital
legal documents to enable this fund release to you.
1)Name:
2)Address:
3)Tel:
4)Age:
5)Sex:
6)Occupation Status:
also take Note that my 60% shear of this said fund will be invested into Real
Estate in your country which I will like you to also take responsibility for this
investment.
as you wish to know that 40% of this said fund is for you.
I want you to know that this transaction will be taking care by me through the
help of my lawyer that will help us to secure all vital document which will back
you up as the Real beneficiary Next of Kin to this said fund which will be
release in your favor.
all I need from you now is your 100% trust and honesty.
Awaiting your quick response,
Mr. J Cheong.
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Anti-fraud resources:
