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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "akacou@un.org" <office---ma12@att.net>
Reply-To: sagdoy@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 07:09:35 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Transfer Notification
Dear Sir/Madam:
It is very important that we receive a written confirmation from you, as we are about to effect remittance of your Compensation. To my greatest surprise someone came forward and present an account on your behalf claiming to be your representative thereby information us you authorize such.
Please, kindly send CONFIRMATION NOTE to my office immediately before further action will be taken.
Thanking you!!
Yours faithfully,
Alberic Kacou
United Nations Resident Co-ordinator, Nigeria Office.
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Anti-fraud resources:
