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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: davidrice2009@albawaba.com
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:20:42 -0000 (GMT)
Subject: Rooms Reservation Required Urgently by Rev.David
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Rev.David Rice from St.Patrick Catholic
church,manchester,London.I want to make a Reservation and accommodation
for a six christian delegates coming for a seminar conference in your
city from 30th of november TILL THE 9thth of Dec 2010.Please do
tabulate/write down the total cost of the hotel accomodation for the
1days.We will need;
3 double rooms (3)for the (6) persons for the 10 days.Also we will be
happy if any special discount is given to us.Get back to me immediately
with the total cost IN EURO CURRENCY so that we discuss on payment
arrangement and payment will be by cheque if it ok for you please get
back to me.
Yours Faithfully,
Rev.David Rice.
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Anti-fraud resources:
