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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.
- 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.
- abdulkhan145@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Khan <abdulkhan145@gmail.com>
Reply-To: abdulgikhan@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:46:14 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: I wait for your response.
Dear Friend,
Let me start by introducing myself,I am Mr Abdul G.Khan,an ACCOUNTS OFFICER with the Bank of Africa Burkina faso.
I am writting you this letter based on the latest development at my Department which I will like to bring to your personal edification.($15million transfer claims).
This is a legitimate transaction and I agreed to offer you 40% of this money as my foreign partner after confirmation of the fund in your bank account, If you are interested with the listed below and yours comment.
Your Full Name:................
Your Company name:....................
Your Direct Phone N°:................
Your Fax N°........................if available.
Your Age:..........................
Best Regard,
Mr Abdul G.Khan
God Bless you.
You can contact me on this email address abdulkhan145@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
