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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: "xiang li long" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <xiang281@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2012 18:26:53 -0000
Subject: Dear Friend
Dear Friend
I am Xiang Lilong, Principal Assurance manager for the Chang Hwa Commercial Bank. I have got your email from directory. I am getting in touch with you regarding the estate(financial portfolio) of a late customer, an investment placed under our banks management about 8 years ago.
I contact you independently and no one is informed of this communication. Nobody is getting hurt; this is a lifetime opportunity for us. I hold the KEY to these funds. The Full amount in question and further details as to what we shall be doing and your role to see the success of transferring the funds will be sent to you when you confirm your willingness to assist me 100%.
I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to the consequences, but I know within me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches never come easy or on a platter of gold. This is the one truth I have learned from my private banking clients.
Please get back to me immediately via email.
I await your response.
Xiang Lilong
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Anti-fraud resources:
