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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million british pounds" (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)
- ",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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Richard Bosco" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rhd.bosco@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:39:24 -0600
Subject: Confidential Business
Dear Friend,
I have the admiration and confidence to introduce this business to you in view of the fact that you are dependable and consistent as my inquiry reveals. I would like to introduce myself, I am Richard Bosco , Member of the Executive Board of Trustees of a well-known bank here in United Kingdom.
One of our account held a balance of 15,000,000 (Fifteen Million British Pounds) and have been dormant for more than (3) years. I am seeking your assistance to transfer the money into your bank account for investment purposes.
Please ascertain your willingness to partner with me in this business by providing adequate assurance that you will not sit on the funds once the transaction is concluded.
Please endeavor to send your full details as stated below:
Full names:
Contact Address:
Phone/ Fax number:
Age Aggregate:
Occupation:
I look forward to your urgent response for a mutual business relationship
Yours faithfully,
Richard Bosco
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Anti-fraud resources: