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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Steve Rudy Law Office" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:39:46 +0100
Subject: Asset Management
Dear Sir/Madam,
It is my pleasure to introduce you to this transaction on behalf of the
Trustees and Executors to the Testament of our late client. I wish to
notify you that we intend to enlist you as a beneficiary to the total
sum of Seven Million Six Hundred Thousand British Pounds Sterling in the intent of the deceased.
Until her death she was a major shareholder in big companies which
include textile and construction companies. We can therefore present you as
the beneficiary to the inheritance since there was no written will
before she died. She was a very great philanthropist during her life time
and we reckoned that you can receive these funds as the administrator
to the Estate. All the papers will be processed in your favor and
further details will be sent to you once you accept to assist us.
In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward a
letter of acceptance, your current telephone; fax numbers and forwarding
address to enable us file the necessary documents at our High
Court-Probate division for the release of this sum of money. We both have major
role to play in this transaction as we shall do all that is humanly
relevant to ensure a successful transaction as soon as possible.
I do hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks you.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Steve Rudy
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Anti-fraud resources:
