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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- h.mikepaco@inbox.lv (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "HONORABLE MIKE PACO" <frankharry@theorioles.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2016 04:06:33 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: I AWAIT YOUR URGENT RESPONSES.
Hello,
I am surprise that you did not get my
first mail to you.
I am HON.MIKE PACO.I want to inquire from you, If you can
handle a financial transaction (Investment) of $45.2M with
me which I believe will benefit you and I.
Please i will like you to keep this proposal as a top secret and delete if you are not interested. Upon receipt of your reply, I will send you full details on how the Business will be executed and also note that you will have 60% of the above mentioned sum.
Acknowledge receipt of this message in acceptance of my mutual business endeavor by furnishing me with the following:
1. Your Full Names and Address.
2. Direct Telephone and Fax numbers
3.occupation
4.the front page of your international passport
Please get back to me ASAP.Please you can send your mail to my private mailbox- h.mikepaco@inbox.lv
Yours faithfully,
Hon.MIKE PACO.
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Anti-fraud resources: