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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (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 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.
- chinedo.chris@consultant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Chris Chinedo <chinedo.chris@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 09:34:03 +0100
Subject: Investment Offer
Dear friend,
I plead your forgiveness over my unconventional approach to you regarding
this matter, It is with trust and confidence that i write to make this
urgent business proposal to you, please treat it with kindness.
l have funds totaling $10.5m u$d (Ten Million Five Hundred U.S. Dollars)
to invest in any viable venture in your country.If you can help me invest
and manage this fund till am out from Public office and l confirm your
genuineness,l shall give you 20% of the fund value as your commission.
Suggest for me what we invest on and how best we get the fund over to your
country.Send me also your full contact details.
Kindly reply to chinedo.chris@consultant.com
Dr.Chris Chinedo.
E-mail Address: chinedo.chris@consultant.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
