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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. James Nwakpaa" <wet-----web2@att.net>
Reply-To: jamesnwakpaa@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:30:58 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AT LAST YOUR PART PAYMENT HAVE BEEN APPROVED
Attn: Dear
Listen your file appears in my desk two days ago Through FMS office That you are among people approved to be paid half of their payment of USD$8 million dollars. Signed by the Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, On behalf of Mr. President. I need your above information,to confirm with the one we have already here in our file,if you are the rightful owner to be paid.
Thanks and God bless.
Regards
Mr.James Nwakpaa
Special Adviser to Mr. President
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Anti-fraud resources:
