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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:
- "might come to you as a surprise" (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447031980816 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Merritt Powell" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 03:22:14 -0400
Subject: For your reading and response
Greetings,
My name is Meritt Powell a contract procurement assessment officer. I know that this message might come to you as a surprise because we neither know each other nor has ever met but put your mind at rest because I am contacting you for mutual benefits. I got your contact details in my search for a reliable and neutral person to partner with me through your United Nations Trade Attach?.
My purpose of sending this business proposal is to seek your partnership to stand as beneficiary of dis-countable Bank Guarantee payment on contracted project which has been executed and commissioned. You will receive 30 % of the total value of the Bank Guarantee as your commission for your participation and assistance.
Details will be furnished to you when you indicate your interest in partnering with me in this life time venture. Please contact me urgently .
Yours Sincerely
Meritta Powell
Mobile Number: 447031980816
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Anti-fraud resources:
