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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:
- "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)
- "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!)
- "honest_loanfirm@live.com" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
- "honest_loanfirm@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Honest Kelly <honest_loanfirms@live.com>
Reply-To: honest_loanfirm@live.com
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:16:40 -0500
Subject: MONEY TO LEND
Hello,
We of Honest Kelly Loan Firms are currently offering out loans to
customers at a
low interest rate of 3%. This is an opportunity you can't afford to miss.
Loan amounts available: £ 2,000.00 to £ 900,000.00
We have just some few financial assessment questions for you:
What would you like to obtain finance for?
Home Improvement?
Education Loan?
New Car Loan ?
Holiday Loan?
Wedding Loan?
Urgent Loan?
Business Expansion Loan?
To set up a new business?
To pay off debts?
To be equipped financially?
If yes then apply for a loan today with the Honest Loan Firms.Interested
customers are expected to contact ( honest_loanfirm@live.com)with the
following informations;
Borrower's Full Name:
Contact Address:
Country and State:
City:Nationality:
Loan Amount:
Loan Duration:
Sex:
Marital Status:
Monthly Income:
Contact phone :
Zip Code:
We wish to assist you with a loan in the nearest feature.
Kinds Regards.
Mr.Honest Kelly
Honest Kelly Loan/CEO
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Anti-fraud resources:
