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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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Morris William" <mr.morriswilliam@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2012 05:10:57 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Re: SUPPLY OF YOUR PRODUCT
Dear Sir/Madam,
I come to know from the Internet that you are a supplier of your products and i use this opportunity to let you know that am interested in your product for a contract supply to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), If you are interested to work with me in the ongoing tender for the supply of your products please get back to me as soon as possible so that i will give you further details about the supply. In your reply endeavor to let me know about your company and your supply capability
As soon as i hear from you, i shall give you further details concerning the supply and other important details you may require.
I am a commission agent. (Agent)
Mr. Morris William
Morris Investment ltd
www.morrisinvestment.co.uk
Tel: +233272319644
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Anti-fraud resources:
