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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- 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.
- w24liang@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <w24liang@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 01:52:25 -0500
Subject: Partnership Request
Dear Sir,
I have an investment opportunity to share with you involving the transfer of a large sum of money (12 Million United States Dollars)
I am Mr. Wu Liang,I work for Hang Seng Bank Ltd, here in Hong Kong. I need you to assist me in dealing with the transfer of this money from Hong Kong to your country.
Everything about this transaction will be done legally without a hitch.
Once the money has been tranfered into your account, we shall share in proportion to be agreed by me and you.
Contact me through my private Email address:w24liang@yahoo.com.hk
If you are interested and i will give you more details.
Please delete this mail if you are not interested.
I do not aim to be in any stress with regards to my career and familly.
Your quick response will be appreciated.
Kind Regards,
MR.Wu Liang
w24liang@yahoo.com.hk
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Anti-fraud resources:
