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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found 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: "Dr Ali Abdussalam Tarhouni" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <abdussalamtarhouniali@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:19:47 +0400
Subject: Private and Confidential
Dear Friend,
Assalam Aleikum
How are you doing? I came across your
contact in my business research on http://dubai-businessdirectory.com/ and I have gone through your professional Profile in your field of Business.
I was hoping to discuss a private Business opportunity that i intend to carry out in your Country.
Kindly get back to me with
your direct contact phone nos. Lets get acquainted.
Regards,
Dr Ali Abdussalam Tarhouni
FORMER LIBYAN MINISTER FOR Oil & FINANCE
National Transitional Council
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Anti-fraud resources:
