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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:
- "i want to solicit your attention" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "in receiving funds on my behalf" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "jeffmukar207@cantv.net" <jeffmukar207@cantv.net>
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:01:38 -0430
Subject: Letter from Jeff Kumar
Letter from Jeff Kumar
Rue 106 Macklin Avenue Cote d`Ivoire.
Hello my dear.
I want to solicit your attention in receiving funds on my behalf,which my
late father left in a bank before his death followed by the political cress
in our country, and the Amount is US$ 3.5million dollars.
Actually the purpose of my contacting you is because you live in a Western
country with a stable economy where I can invest this money through you.
Please I don't have any choice of investment; only what I need is your
sincere and kind assistance to secure this fund invested abroad and be the
custodian of the fund till I finish my education before taking full control
of the investment.
For your kind assistance to me I will be pleased to offer to you 20%of the
total fund while the remaining balance will be invested by you.
As soon as you accept on this condition, kindle get back to me with your
full details so I can register your name to the bank as the foreign
beneficiary to receive the fund on my behalf.
I am wait to hear from you soonest.
Yours Sincerely
Jeff .
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Anti-fraud resources:
