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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Hassan <hassan_mohamed10@sify.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:38:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: DEAR FRIEND
DEAR FRIEND
This
message might meet you in utmost surprise, however, It's just my urgent need
foreign partner that made me to contact you for this transaction. I am the
manager in charge of Auditing section Group Of Africa Bank (B.O.A), in west
Africa, I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of ($17.5 million)
immediately to your account. I will send you full details on how the business
will be executed and also note that you will receive 40% of the above mentioned
amount if you agree to help me execute this business, For more clarification
reply me back and please note that the claims is 100% risk free
Thanks
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Anti-fraud resources:
