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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:
- "loan amount" (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!)
- "michael_mullen_loan_aid@hotmail.com" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
- 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.
- michael_mullen_loan_aid@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: michael mullen <crystalgoldfinance@gmail.com>
Reply-To: michael_mullen_loan_aid@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 00:58:38 -0700
Subject: LOAN OFFER
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Do you need a loan to pay off your bills and clear off your Debt?
Have you been looking for a Legit Loan Lender?
Do you need an Urgent loan or your business Loan?
Have you be denied of a loan from your bank or any Financial Firm?
do you need a well genuine loan
do you need awell genuine loan at the rate of 3% loan
FILL THE BORROWER'S INFORMATION
Your Name:______________________
Your Address:____________________
Your Country:____________________
Your Occupation:__________________
Loan Amount Needed:______________
Loan Duration:____________________
Cell phone Number:________________
swift Mail: Reply with this Email:michael_mullen_loan_aid@hotmail.com
Note: If you are not interested, and you have received this message, please
my apologies.
I hope to hear from you soon.
With best wishes,
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Anti-fraud resources:
