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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "arabemirates_investors@gala.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Al-Futtaim Group <futtaimconsult@gmail.com>
Reply-To: arabemirates_investors@gala.net
Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2010 03:53:35 -0700
Subject: Loan and Project Funding
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Greetings,
Al-Futtaim Investment Management Board invite you to be a part and benefit
in Her Loan and Project Funding program. This is an improved and efficient
way of obtaining non-secured loan and funding for various projects without
the normal rigorous processes. This funding package is designed to allow the
client a period of 5-7 years for pay back with a low interest of less than
4%.
May you avail yourself of this opportunity and obtain transaction loan up to
USD100,000,000.00 or more. We are interested in having a good business
collaboration with you, if you think you have a solid background and idea of
making good profit in any business sector, please write me for possible
business co-operation. arabemirates_investors@gala.net
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Anti-fraud resources:
