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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:
- "i would like to apply through this medium for your co-operation" (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.
- comm_abdulhakimbelhaj@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2012 22:39:51 +0800
Subject: =?gb2312?B?R29vZCBkYXks?=
<div>Good day,</div><div>I am Mr.Abdul Hakim Belhaj i would like to apply through this medium for your co-operation to secure an opportunity to invest and to go into joint business with you in your country. I have a substantial capital.</div><div>I will like to invest into a very lucrative business venture based on your advise and directive. Please feel free to email me for further clarification about this partnership with you.</div><div>Please contact me on email with the following details and information : comm_abdulhakimbelhaj@hotmail.com</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Full name:</div><div><br /></div><div>2.Contact address:</div><div><br /></div><div>3.Tel/fax number:</div><div><br /></div><div>4.Mobile number:</div><div><br /></div><div>5.Age:</div><div><br /></div><div>6.Occupation:</div><div><br /></div><div>7.Nationality:</div><div><br /></div><div>8.E-mail:</div><div><br /></div><div>God bless you as i will be looking forward to hear from you urgently.</div><div>Best regards</div><div>Mr.Abdul Hakim Belhaj</div><div>N/B please reply on through my private E-mail < comm_abdulhakimbelhaj@hotmail.com > </div>
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Anti-fraud resources:
