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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:
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Kassim Abdul <KassimAbdul2000@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: info.depoint@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 11:59:00 +0000
Subject: Re: Offer
--
Dear Sir,
Greetings in the name of Allah. I got your company information through a
search in the internet. I am an authorized agent registered with the
Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs as a sourcing agent for sundry
products. I search for companies to bid for supply contracts on commission
basis. I receive 5% commission from the seller in any successful contract
done through my recommendation.
At the moment, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs is
interested in your products and I will like to make a preliminary
presentation/introduction of your company to the Ministry of Endowments and
Islamic Affairs for their consideration. Could you please be kind enough to
furnish me with the following information to enable me present/introduce
your highly esteemed company to the to the Tender/procurement department of
the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs:
Payment of every government contract in Qatar is by 100% bank swift
transfer (TT) in advance immediately every contract formality is completed.
1) Your price list
2) Comprehensive details/information of your product
3) Your Company profile
Best regards,
Kassim Abdul
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Anti-fraud resources:
