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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Harry Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <h_williams2007@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:02:48 -0700
Subject: Next Of Kin Needed Urgent,
THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION,
We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a Beneficiary to the total sum of US $25,300,000.00 (Twenty five million three hundred thousand US dollars)in the codicil and last testament of the Deceased. (Name now withheld since this is our second letter to You).
We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance. We therefore reckoned that you can receive these funds as you are qualified by your name Identity.
All the legal papers will be processed in your Acceptance. In your acceptance of this deal, We request that you kindly forward to us your letter of Acceptance with the below details:
Full Name:
Full Address:
Your Tel Numbers:
Your Fax Numbers:
Your companys name (if any)
Your Sex:
This will enable us file necessary Documents at our high court probate division for the Release of this sum of money.
Your prompt response is highly imperative.
Yours faithfully,
Best Regards
>From Mr Harry Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
