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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million dollars" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Paul Owen <dr_owen00303@msn.com>
Reply-To: <drpaul10@gawab.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2009 11:30:23 +0000
Subject: Good Day ,
Good Day ,
I am Dr Paul Owen by name from Republic of Benin West Africa , hereby this day asking for your personal directives and helps.
I want to come to your country to invest the Sum of $14.2 Million Dollars on Estate business or any other business that is lucreative.But i will like you to inform me on the best known business in your country that can move fast and gives money.
Please get back to me if you can handle this project because once i get the money transferd to you legally, i will come down to your country with my family for us to start the project Since my Retirement is in 3months time.
Thanks and i am hoping to hear from you sooonest.
Best Regards
Dr Paul Owen
Senior Auditor
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Anti-fraud resources:
