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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:
- "transfer into your account" (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: Nora Qattara <m_r_t151@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 17:41:19 +0000
Subject: Please I really need you to stand as my Guardian.
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Please I really need you to stand as my Guardian.
Good day, Please I really need you to stand as my Guardian. I am Miss
Qattara Nora 19yrs old the only daughter to my late Daddy. I needed
your help to be my guardian in the management my inheritance fund from
my late Father.
My late Father left the sum of $8.5 million u.s dollars in one of the
good finical house for me before he died. I want you to stand as my
guardian and appointed beneficiary and the fund will be transfer into
your account in your country. I will offer you 25% of the total amount
for helping me to transfer the fund into your account.
I am waiting for your urgently reply so that i will give you more
details and information and how you will help me. Thanks and God bless
you and your family.
Thanks,
Sincerely Yours,
Miss Nora Qattara.
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Anti-fraud resources:
