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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "brunopujol123@lleida.org" <brunopujol123@lleida.org>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:14:12 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: PERSONAL MEMO/RESPOND URGENTLY
Dear Sir/Madam,
I Have a very important request that made me to contact you;I am Dr.
Bruno Pujol, I found Your profile very interesting and decided to reach
you directly to solicit your assistance and Guidelines in making a
business investment and transfer of ($450M USD) to your country within
the Next few weeks. I presently work as Manager Credit and Foreign
Bills in CIBC (Quebec Regional Office)
But at this moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this
profitable Business investment until I get your response by mail.
Please take out a moment of your very busy Schedule today and have the
full 100% confidence to respond back if you are interested; please send
your details as listed below:
1.Your Full Name:
2.Your Contact Address:
3.Your Profession:
4.Your Age:
5.Your Phone & Fax Number:
I wish for utmost confidentiality in handling this transaction.
Best Regards
Dr.Bruno Pujol.
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Anti-fraud resources:
