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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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- mskimoukchan@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms. Kim Ouk Chan." <mrslorettaroberts@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mskimoukchan@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2021 04:15:50 -0700
Subject: I look forward to hear from you soon.
Hello,
My name is Ms. Kim Ouk Chan, A Thai citizen in Asian Continent but
currently residing in abroad, I trust this email meets you in good
health, I just got your contact today during a research about your
country and I will say that I foresee success of my future investment
ventures in your country. I want to invest in your country and I would
like you to assist me in my investment with moral and physical advice.
Please do reply me as soon as possible so we can discuss more.
I look forward to hear from you soon.
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Yours Faithfully,
Ms. Kim Ouk Chan.
Email: (mskimoukchan@gmail.com)
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Anti-fraud resources:
