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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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.
- 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.
- song.chen55@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Song. Chen" <song.chen77@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: song.chen55@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:10:20 +0700 (WIT)
Subject: Profitable Business Project (Please Read)
How is life with you over there?
Kindly accept my apology for sending you this email without your consent.
My name is Mr. Song Chen; I am the Head of Operations at Dah Sing Bank,
Hong Kong. My business proposal for you is to assist me transfer 12.8
Million Dollars from my bank in Hong Kong to a foreign bank if willing.
After the successful transfer, our sharing ratio will be 35% for you and
65% for me.
This money was deposited by my client Mr. Yoshi Yuu, who lost his life
along with his family in the massive Earthquake and Tsunami disaster that
destroyed a vast area of Japan on the date 11th March 2011. According to
the law in my Country, after Twelve months the Hong Kong Government would
come for the funds if nobody applies to claim the money. Should you be
interested, please respond immediately to my private email:
(song.chen55@yahoo.com.hk) with the following information for documentation
purpose by the attorney:
Your Complete Names:
Current Residential Address:
Mobile Number:
Your Occupation:
Your Age and Sex:
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Mr. Song Chen
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