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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)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Ian Davis <davis.ian57@sify.com>
Reply-To: iandavis429@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:33:41 +0100
Subject: GREETINGS FROM MAJID AL-FUTTAIM HOLDING COMPANY
Dear Friend,
Happy Easter.
I am Sorry for the inconveniences. However i am Mr Ian Davis, the Director
contract implementation Majid Al-Futtaim Holding Company and a member of
Contract Board of Trustee of the above company.
I have a very interesting confidential business deal that requested your
collaboration. Please kindly open the attachment and read the business
proposal. I wait for your prompt reply.
Best Regards
Mr Ian Davis
Director Contract Implementation
Majid Al-Futtaim Holding Company
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Anti-fraud resources:
