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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "utmost confidentiality" (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: DR BRUNO PUJOL <dr_brunopujol@live.com>
Reply-To: <brunopujol323@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 07:29:11 +0000
Subject: Investment letter from Dr. Bruno Pujol
Dear Sir/Madam,
I Have a very important request that made me to contact you;I am
Dr.Bruno Pujol, I found Your profile very interesting and decided to
reach you directly to solicit your assistance and Guidelines in making
a business investment and transfer of ($140 Million USD) to your
country within the Next few days. I presently work as Manager Credit
and Foreign Bills in Zenith Bank Plc (Lagos Regional Office)
But at this moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this
profitable Business investment until I get your response by mail.
Please take out a moment of your very busy Schedule today and have the
full 100% confidence to respond back if you are interested; please
send your details as listed below:
1.Your Full Name:
2.Your Contact Address:
3.Your Profession:
4.Your Age:
5.Your Phone & Fax Number:
I wish for utmost confidentiality in handling this transaction.
Best Regards
Dr.Bruno Pujol.
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Anti-fraud resources:
