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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:
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- 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.
- dr.owengeorge98@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Owen George <oweng4865@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2015 17:36:04 +0100
Subject: REPLY
Attention Please,
I am Dr.George Owen a banker. It is true that we have not known each other
in person, but I strongly believe that we need trust and friendship in
every business development. I write to solicit for your collaboration to
move some huge funds that belongs to a deceased customer of my bank who
died accidentally. I have been his financial adviser and i am the only one
that can inherit and move the funds out of the bank. The funds have been
successfully
moved into the secret escrow account of the bank ready for transfer if you
are a potential investor but before I will disclose the full details to
you, I will like to know your interest and willingness to partner with me
for the successful transfer of the funds into your country for joint
investments. The transaction is 100% risk free and all documents are made
available or successful transfer.
your response is expected to enable us move forward
Dr. George Owen
((dr.owengeorge98@yahoo.com.hk)
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Anti-fraud resources:
