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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)
- "owengeorge125@e1.ru" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "CAPTAIN GEORGE OWEN" <tonyosita51@gmail.com>
Reply-To: owengeorge125@e1.ru
Date: Sun, 17 May 2015 11:38:50 -0000
Subject: JOIN ME
Dear Friend,
This is CAPTAIN GEORGE OWEN, a captain in charge and responsible for the
shipment of unrefined crude oil for KOSMOS ENERGY EXPLORATION COMPANY one
of the registered oil & gas exploration company. I need your collaboration
to investing in your country some funds generated from the sale of
unrefined crude oil and Gold. Can you assist me and two other captains to
"RECEIVING AND RE -PROFILING" some huge sums of funds raised from sale of
crude oil and Gold? Get back to me for more details. The funds are readily
available for investment in good project which will be suggested and
handled by you.
On the other hand, my direct family have a large quantity of Gold dust and
bars for sale to a direct buyer. On a mutual understanding, the family
will agree with you as the sole middle man for the sale of the gold dust
and bars.
Waiting for your response. Contact me through this email address
(owengeorge125@e1.ru )
Thanks for your cooperation and understanding
CAPTAIN GEORGE OWEN
KOSMOS ENERGY EXPLORATION COMPANY
OFFSHORE SHIPPING TANK CAPTAIN
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Anti-fraud resources:
