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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.
- 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.
- chanhkjohncc@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.John C.C.Chan{JP}" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chanhkjohncc@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2013 10:00:08 -0500
Subject: Good day
Good day
My name is Dr.John Chan{JP} a south Korean Citizen and a Director with Hang Seng Bank Ltd in Hong-Kong.
I want to transfer an accumulated sum of US$22.5 Million out of our bank to a safe personal/business
account abroad. This US$22.5 Million has been in a suspense account for several years now. Our board
of Directors had officially mandated me to search for the deceased next of kin,since all
correspondences to the deceased last known address came back undelivered,I want you to apply as the
legitimate Next-of-kin of the deceased,so that we can have this fund paid to your account for
sharing/investment purposes.
I will get all the legal documents in your favor as I will use my position and office to effect the
payment to you via bank to bank wire transfer.More details in my next email.
Please send your full names,age,occupation and your private e-mail address:
Email:chanhkjohncc@yahoo.com.hk
Best Regards.
Dr.John C.C.Chan{JP}
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Anti-fraud resources: