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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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Wendy Clark" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rkenzie@lycos.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:08:49 +0800
Subject: Respond Message
INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE
Hello Dear,
Good Day to you, My name is Mrs. Wendy Clark I am in active srevice with the Kosta Petroleum as one of the Directors, I am in search of a partner who will assist me with the transfer of investment funds valeud at $11 Million USD. If you could be kind enough to partner with me in this regard, you shall be rewarded with 20% of the principal sum while 10% of the investments dividends shall be paid to you annually.
I will be glad if you indicate your position by return email so I can provide you with more details and modalities regarding this offer.
Remain blessed and have a nice day!
Mrs. Wendy Clark
Kosta Petroleum
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Anti-fraud resources: