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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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "BASSEY NDEM LEKWAUWA." <abbasndeml@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: basseyndemlekwauwa@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:07:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Inquiry.
Dear Sirs,
We wish to bring to your notice that we will like to build a long term business relationship with your Company.
Our Company is a one of the leading Frozen Food importing Company based in Benin Republic West Coast Africa Region.
It is our desire to inform you that we are interested to import from your Company, if only you can give us the chance to build up a business relationship and trust for a mutual benefits between the both parties.
Kindly revert back to us with your available products and photos in oder to enable us study for further business discussion.
Looking forward to read from you soonest.
Best Regards
Mr Bassey Ndem Lekwauwa
Telephone +229-97135443
skype Id: oliver.nnanna2010
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Anti-fraud resources: