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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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Peter O'Brien" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <brienpetero2@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 10:50:05 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL, NO UP-FRONT PAYMENT REQUIRED
Dear Friend,
This is a personal message directed to you and I hope that you will
receive this message in good faith.
My name is Peter O'Brien from Dublin, Ireland . Base on good
recommendation that you are a straight forward fellow and reliable to
do business with in areas of investment and financial partnering, I am
writing to acquaint you of a transaction and monetary transfer of
US$12.1 Million which is currently domiciled in an Irish Bank.
I need a partner to have custody of funds and we can invest on Real
Estate which is at the low presently and other via business in the
States and/or other lucrative and viable businesses in the U.S
after the funds are transferred to you.
No financial obligations will be required of you as long as trust and
mutual goals applies. You will not spend a dime to me or to the Bank as
we already have all arrangement sorted to swiftly conclude this
transfer with you through a financial aid system (FINANCING COMPANY)
I await your urgent response.
Best Regards,
Peter O'Brien
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Anti-fraud resources:
