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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:
- "million 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Allen Moore" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <allenmic01@amicable.biz>
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:37:00 +0100
Subject: URGENT RESPOND
>From Mr. Allen Moore
Dear,
In confidence,I have to introduce myself for I am Mr. Allen Moore, the only son of late Chief Callistus Moore, I wish to request for your assistance in my efforts to procure the transfer of my inherited funds for investment ventures Overseas.
I have fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) here in my name with one of the prime banks here and I will require your assistance in receiving the transfer of the fund in your local account for investment purposes. As it is my desire to come over to your country to further my education while you take care of the investment of the money.I will be glad to give you 35% of the total sum for your co-operation.
Before the deed of my late father he gives me all the legal papers on the day he made the deposit in the bank here in my country.
I will be very appreciative if you can return to me with urgent dispatch to enable me advise you on the modalities.
I await in anticipation to receive your immediate response.
My Kind Regards!
Mr. Allen Moore
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Anti-fraud resources: