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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:
- "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.
- 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.
- albert_wong57@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: thehindu@web1.hinduonnet.com (may be fake)
Reply-To: wong_albert@rogers.com
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2010 10:03:24 +0530
Subject: Article from The Hindu: Sent to you by Albert Wong.
Dear ,
ALBERT WONG, am a Singaporean citizen and a seasoned Banker in Malaysia (Berhad office), I occupy the position of an accountant in this branch office, it is with good spirit of heart I opened up this great opportunity to you.A deceased client of mine died as the result of a heart-related condition on March 12th 2005. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family in the tsunami disaster on the 26th December 2004 in Sumatra Indonesia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake I can be reached for more information.
My late Client has a deposit ten point three hundred million dollars ( US$10.300.00 Million Dollars) left behind. Please reply immediately with your information including your full name, full address and telephone number for easy communication with you. I await your prompt response
immediately.
Alternative contact:albert_wong57@yahoo.com
My sincere regards,
Albert Wong.
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This article has been sent to you by Albert Wong. ( wong_albert@rogers.com )
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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com//stories/)
Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu
Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly
prohibited without the consent of The Hindu
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Anti-fraud resources: