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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:
- "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)
- 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.
- chunglee5079@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Oby Nevo <obynevo@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:38:41 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: do you have what i need?
Good Day
I am MR.LEE CHUNG. A Japanese by origin, I need a 4 to 5 bed room
single family house to buy. It has to be a normal sale and its going
to be a cash buy.It will have a garage and 2 bath with or without
swimming pool and a big garden.The prices should be between$400,000 to
$800,000.00 please send me some listing and prices to choose if you
have any in a very good and nice place to stay as my retirement home.
I am currently in Japan for further information Note: My attorney will
contact you after choosing from your listing.
You can also reach me with this email address:: chunglee5079@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks,
MR LEE CHUNG
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Anti-fraud resources: