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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:
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Chris" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chrisnene777@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:49:09 -0000
Subject: Hi,
Hi,
What kinds of investment will you advice me? Because presently I am in Africa and I have a substantial amount of money as my inheritance here that I have the intention to invest in your country so I will offer you 10% of the whole sum for your kind assistance to transfer and invest the money in your country.
The origin of this money is my late father contractual savings so it is 100% risk free. However this transaction will be concluded within 3 working days upon your confirmation to help me. Please include your direct phone number.
Yours Sincerely,
Chris Nene
+22547696592
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Anti-fraud resources:
