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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 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.
- office10001@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: THANASSIS KONTOPANOS <thanassiskontopanos@yahoo.gr>
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 04:48:44 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: ATTN:BENEFICIARY,
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES{ECOWAS}
{OFFICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUND OBSERVER}
ACCRA-GHANA.
www.ecowas.int
ATTN:BENEFICIARY,
CODE (ECO-0012010)
RE-ACCRUED INTEREST SUM $3,623,460.00 USD
After our crucial meeting today with the Presidency, we write to inform you that your payment has been approved for immediate release through our Foreign Credit Commission bank.
Our Foreign Credit Commission bank will release your payment within 72 hours of your accreditation. You are advised to get back to us immediately with your details for further briefing on this Email... office10001@gmail.com
Hope to hear from you soonest.
Yours faithfully.
MR.JOHN OYAKHILOME.
+ 233 26 147 8104
{ECOWAS FUND OBSERVER}
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Anti-fraud resources:
