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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- kingoscar1234@yahoo.com.au
Fraud email example:
From: "Edwin Hans" (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 19:14:28 -0700
Subject: compesation
Dear Friend,
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transfered under the cooperation of a new partner from Spain .
Presently I'm in Madrid Spain for investment projects with my own share of the total
sum.Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how.Now contact my secretary his name is Mr oscar Kingsley Email:kingoscar1234@yahoo.com.au
Ask him to send you the total of $950.000.00 which I kept for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter so feel free to get in touch with Mr oscar kingsley, he will send the amount to you without
any delay.
Best Regards,
Edwin Hans
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Anti-fraud resources:
