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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "James Patterson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jdirect@buzonabc.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2010 06:23:02 -0700
Subject: Please reply as soon as possible
Hello,
I am Mr. James Patterson an auditor here in England .In the course of our yearly routine audit of investment Portfolio,I discovered that a personal account
has been dormant for over nine years with a huge balance.The account holder bears the same last name with you.
For a while nobody has come to claim it that is why I am contacting you in order for us to claim the funds and share it.
I need is your approval and I will file for an application for proceeds on your behalf.All necessary legal documents required will be provided.
You shall be adequately compensated for your part in this transaction .
I shall however leave out the other details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate.
If you wish to proceed with me you must send me the following:
Your full name,
Contact number
Mailing address
I look forward to hearing from you.
With warmest personal regards and best wishes,
Mr. James Patterson
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Anti-fraud resources:
