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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr.Pedro Williams <ab01@citilinkng1.uk.tn>
Reply-To: <pedrowilliams101@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2016 13:24:17 -0200
Subject: Good day!
Good day
Please permit me to introduce myself. I am Pedro Williams, a business
consultant and I represent a client that is interested in engaging your service as Manager of a large volume
of fund to the tune of $20.5M USD, for investment in business areas you will guide us in your country and you
will be offered 20%.
If this proposal is acceptable to you, please get back to me via my private email below,so that we can work out
remuneration for your participation in the transaction.
Please send your telephone number to enable me call you soon for more information relating to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Pedro Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
