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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:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "JOHN BANNERMAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <karl_ericp@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:42:13 -0000
Subject: MY OFFER
Dear Prospective Partner,
This Business Proposal is strictly meant for your consideration and has not been sent to anybody other you alone. Please treat privately and urgently.
I am the Country Operation Manager of an International Security and Investment Corporation here in the Republic of Ghana and would like to seek your partnership and expertise to develop an everlasting business venture that will better our lives.Nevertheless; I have an unclaimed “Cash Funds” totaling USD8.5 million that was concealed in a 2 Trunk Boxes and tagged Family Valuables and Treasure. This “Cash Funds” was deposited in our Security and Investment Corporation 8 years ago without claim and would like to collaborate with you to claim the “Cash Funds” using your details as the Next of Kin. There is no legal implication associated to this transaction.
Our sharing ratio in this very transaction is 50/50 and should you agree to my Proposal; please send me your direct telephone numbers for further details of this offer in full details.
Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you shortly.
Yours Truly,
John Bannerman.
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Anti-fraud resources:
