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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:
- "please endeavor to " (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Peter Chung LEE <peterchunglee@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: peterchunglee@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 11:18:24 +0200
Subject: PLEASE RESPOND!!!
--
Greetings,
It is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive
because you do not know me but I have a lucrative business proposal of
mutual interest to share with you.I got your reference in my search
for someone who suits my proposed business relationship.
I am Mr.Peter C.Lee staff of Hang Seng Bank Ltd.I have an obscured
business suggestion for you.I will need you to assist me in executing
a business project from Hong Kong to your Country,It involves the
transfer of a large sum of money.
Everything concerning this transaction shall be legally done without
hitch. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters
concerning this issue.
Once the funds have been successfully transferred into your account,we
shall share in the ratio to be agreed by both of us.On receipt of your
positive response i shall furnish you with more information about this
transaction.
Please if you are not interested delete this email and do not hunt me
because i am putting my career and the life of my family at stake with
this venture. Although nothing ventured is nothing gained.
Your earliest response to this email will be appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Mr.Peter C.Lee.
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Anti-fraud resources:
