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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:
- ",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)
- "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447045742435 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: luis_hudson018@mchsi.com (WILLIAMS GOZNEY LOAN FIRM)
Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:46:46 +0000
Subject: LOAN OFFER @ 3 %
Dear Mr/Mrs,
I'm Williams Gozney, a registered private lender Base here in Uk. My
company's name is Williams Gozney Financial Home, I give out loan amounts
ranging from $5,000-$5,000,000 so if you are interested in geting a loan from
this company get back to me with the **Amount Needed** **Duration** and Name of
Beneficiary
via e-mail:privateloan@live.com
++447045742435
Best Regards
Williams Gozney
Anti-fraud resources:
