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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "SIR. J.O AYO )OON)." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sirayo@minister.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:37:21 -0700
Subject: FROM SIR. J.O AYO )OON).
How are you today, As regards our US$121 Milion transfer in your favour.
Be imformed that we are conducting our 2011 General Elections from 2nd April, 2011. Based on my position, I am vey busy and occupied with official assignments/ campaigns for my Boss who standung for the highest position. Please reconfirm your contact Address and phone numbers immediately so that your classified Documents copies of this transactions will be delivered to your Bank, Ministry of State for Finance and yourself for your protections when our funds arrives because it must be soonest. Kindly help me to reconfirm this information to avoid mistakes as I am to submit it to the Apex bank for your immediate payment now. Call or send SMS to my phone below.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Sincerely
Sir.Johnson.O Ayo (OON)
Senior Special Adviser to Presidency
Economics and Financial Matters.
Tel; +234 803 7000215
This email may contain information which is privileged and confidential. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
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Anti-fraud resources:
