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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:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Tian Guoli" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tianguolii@07168.cn>
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 18:18:53 +0800
Subject:
Good day and how do you do? I'm Tian Guoli, and I work with Bank of China. I need your assistance in moving a sum of $48.370 Million Dollars from my Bank.
Kindly get back if interested.
DISCLAIMER
This email (and any attachment to it) is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. Koperasi Tentera assumes no liability whatsoever for the content of this email or for the consequences of actions taken based on such content unless it is subsequently confirmed in writing. Unintended recipients are notified that disclosing, copying or distributing of this email, or acting based on its contents, is strictly prohibited; and you are to immediately and permanently delete or destroy this email and notify the sender forthwith.
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Anti-fraud resources:
