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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:
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
- 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.
- revfrank60@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: DONALD Pedro <iykoh77@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:15:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: RE:HELLO BRETHREN IN THE LORD
Dear Brethren,
I Am Reverend Frank Daniel Of The Holyword Bible Church Abuja Nigeria.I Want You To Take This Offer With Utmost Trust And Humility.
One Of My Church Members Made A Church Donation Of Refined Diamonds Worth USD$6.5 Million.But The Market Appraisals Here Is Too Poor,The Highest Bidder Is $3 Million.We Would Like You To Help Us Sell It In Your Country In Trust As We Appeal To You To Take 20% Of Its Proceeds For Helping Us.If This Is okay By You,Kindly Get Back To Me Via revfrank60@yahoo.com Or Call Me On +234-8034669580.
Your Contact Telephone Number And Probably Your Address Will Be Highly Welcomed.
Yours Brotherly In The Lord
Reverend Frank Daniel
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Anti-fraud resources:
