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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:
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr. Wesiamk <dr.wesisamk@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 19:25:36 +0400
Subject: SUPPLY OFFER
Dear Sir,
We are looking for a reliable supplier who can supply
to us. I will appreciate if you Can send me the details/prices of your
product by email for my study before applying for you.
I am a
registered agent with government and non governmental organization on
contract allocation, my interest in every completed business I do is
2% commission from the total contract sum as soon as the total contract
fund is paid into your account.
Reply with details/prices of your
product and confirm your readiness to bid in the on-going Tender so
that I will give you an idea on how to pursue and win the Contract with.
Your urgent response with your price list will be appreciated.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours faithfully
dr.wesisamk
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Anti-fraud resources:
