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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "angus" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lane1012@yahoo.ie>
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2017 21:01:26 -0600
Subject: A Good deal now
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Hello,
I seek your attention to engage with me on a very profitable and good business opportunity. This business does not require much knowledge and time just a trust worthy and active person with, a positive mind. A person with great zeal for success. I also would want to apologize for trying to reach you through this means. I searched out your email address from a business directory and thought you will be a perfect partner for me in this business. Pls, if you are interested send me your reply as soon as possible and do introduce yourself to me by sending Your Full Names: Age: Profession: and Nationality: This will be kept very confidential and you will not have to worry about any illegality. your urgent reply will be highly satisfactory..................Thanks for your understanding.
Mr. Angus Clarke
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Anti-fraud resources:
