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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- "smartloaninvestment@gmail.com" (This email address looks like addresses used in fake loan scams. Be suspicious of any lender who uses a free webmail address or who is based in different country from yourself.)
- 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.
- smartloaninvestment@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: smart leo <smartloaninvestment@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Jun 2011 07:49:40 -0700
Subject: Loan Offer
Good Day,
I am Mr Smart Leo, a private investor and giving out loans without
collateral guarantees men and women who are in a business transaction,
purchasing a car, housing loans and other personal loans ETC we give a
long-term loan for five to fifty years up to 2% interest you can send
to us at this E-mail: smartloaninvestment@gmail.com
Personal Information:
Your Name:_______________
Your Country:_____________
Your Address:______________
Your Sex:____________
Your Age:____________
Your Occupation:____________
Monthly income:____________
Loan Amount Needed:________
Loan Duration:_____________
Mobile phone number:________
I'll await your mail with this information filled soon.
My Regards,
Mr. Smart Leo
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Anti-fraud resources:
