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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "ALEX IKOKU" <hrd@morelli.co.id>
Reply-To: mark.eddy001@vp.pl
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2014 21:36:14 +0800
Subject: FYI A Token Of My Appreciation
Dear Friend,
How are you today? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am
using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our
unfinished transaction and transfer of the fund in your name, am sorry for
presenting and using someone else in your name to get this transaction
successful. Due to logistic reasons and your inconsistency to the other
best known to you. Right now, I want to inform you that I have
successfully cleared the funds to someone else account who was capable of
assisting me in this great venture that have been over and successful.
Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you showed at
the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my
gratitude to you. I have authorized Mr.Mark Edward my Secretary to give
tangible amount for your help.Contact him with below details and he will
give you full details and what i left with him to give to you for the
inconveniences i course you before succeeding with my new partner.
Name: Mr.Mark Edward
Email: mark.eddy001@vp.pl
Please Accept what i left with him when you contact him because i dont
know how you will feel that is why i did not mention the amount in this
email
Thanks God bless you and your family. Hope to hear from you soon as soon
as you've getting my compensation and please do not get angry because that
is what I have for now till I finish my project.
Best Regards
Alex Ikoku
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Anti-fraud resources:
