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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrs-feliciadaniel@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Felicia Daniel Dabo" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:17:50 -0000
Subject: URGENT RESPONDS: BUSSINESS DIRECTORY
Dear Sir/Madam
I got your contact from a Business Directory i decided
to contact you directly for the sake of business.
My full Name is Mrs. Felicia Daniel Dabo an accountant, I'm
from Guinea bissua wife to ex minister ,Baciro Daniel dabo in guenie bissua west africa
was killed on june 5 2009 , I am now in ghana
searching for a reliable and experience business partner overseas.
I have about $8.2 Million Dollars and I would need your
assistance in the area of investing it either in your country
or any country of your choice under your guidance
kindly provide your confidential contact for more details,via e-mail
mrs-feliciadaniel@hotmail.com
Best Regards,
Mrs Felicia Daniel Dabo
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Anti-fraud resources:
