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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 us 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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Kevin McCulley" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgtkmcc@ciudad.com.ar>
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:01:30 +0700
Subject: Re: Hello Goog Morning:
Hello ,
I need of your assistance, I Am Sgt Kevin McCulley. Am with the
Engineering unit here in Ba'qubah Iraq for the United States; we have
about 9.2 million US dollars that we want to move out of the country.
My partners and I need a good partner,someone we can trust to actualize
this venture. The money is from oil proceeds and legal. But we are moving
it by diplomatic means to your house directly a safe and secured location
of your choice using diplomatic courier services.
But can we trust you? Once the funds get to you, you take your 30% out and
keep our own 70%. Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where
the funds can be sent to. Our own part is sending it to you.
If you are interested I will furnish you with more details.
Urgently awaiting your response.
God Bless
Sgt Kevin McCulley.
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Anti-fraud resources:
