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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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Colbert Wong <mr.godwinefel2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: colbertwong2@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 21 May 2015 23:40:24 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend;
Dear Friend;
I am Mr. Colbert Wong, a banking staff of HONG LEONG BANK (Malaysia). I
have a business proposal of USD $13.5M (Thirteen million Five Hundred
Thousand United State Dollars) only for you to transact with me from my
bank to your country regarding a deceased client of mine.
My proposition to you is to seek your consent, and to present your kind
self as the next-kin and beneficiary of my deceased client, since you have
the same last name with him. It means that the total fund will be transfer
to your account as his next of kin or the legitimate beneficiary.
We would share the percentage on the mutually agreed upon 50% for me and
50% to your kind self for your maximum cooperation.
All confirm-able documents to back up the claims will be made available to
you prior to your acceptance and as soon as I receive your return mail. And
I will let you know what is required of you.
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.
Best Regards,
Mr. Colbert Wong.
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Anti-fraud resources:
