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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:
- 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- +447035965812 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "DUKE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smithduke79@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:24:29 +0100
Subject: I want to investment in your country
DEAR FRIEND,
My name is Smith Duke.
I am approaching you for assistance in investing in
your country.
please i am an inheritor of funds that runs into
millions of EUROS which i want to invest in your
country under your supervision and directives.
Please note that you are not expected to pay any
money to anybody upfront during and after the
investment rather i will make you my partner in the
investment and you and i will reap from the
investment as you will be my partner in the
investment.
My phone number is +4470359 65812 .
I am living in the United Kingdom.
Please give me your contacts details
1. YOUR FULL NAME.
2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3. YOUR CURRENT MOBILE NUMBER.
4.OCCUPATION
regarding the investment as i have the dream of
investing in estate/ properties and hotels .
Note that you do not have to spend any money from
your pocket to be part of this investment.
Regards,
SMITH DUKE.
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Anti-fraud resources:
