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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)
- 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.
- globerevent@aim.com (AOL Instant Messenger; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Foundation for Peace Building <KirstyBertarelli@aim.com>
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:19:35 -0300
Subject: F.P.B International Seminar invitation !!!!!!!!!!
Dear Sir/Madam.
The Foundation for Peace Building organization is extending to you
an invitation to attend the upcoming international seminar meeting on
the Importance of health security and social welfare that will
commence from 21st to 25th November 2011 at 4047 West Palm Drive
Florida City, FL 33034 United States of America. It is our great
privilege to invite you to attend this international seminar meeting
with us here in United States of America.
The seminar meeting will contain various discussions and mini
workshops related to the issues of social welfare and importance of
health security. For registration guidance, Please contact the
conference secretary via email indicated below.
Head of secretariat
External Affairs Director of FPB
Email: Globerevent@aim.com
Note: you will be provided with visa assistant for only those that
needs the United States visa in their passport to attend this meeting
with us, and air round trip tickets to attend this meeting will be
provided to all interested participants. The Workshop welcomes paper
presentation from any interested participants. Do contact the
conference secretary for guidance regarding registration.
Once again we thank you for the interest to attend this meeting with us.
Yours Sincerely,
Ms. Kirsty Bertarelli.
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Anti-fraud resources:
