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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Sgt Lee" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ssslee1899@yahoo.cn>
Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:15:40 -0500
Subject: Greeting
Greeting!!!
My name is, Sgt Susanne Lee Female American Military Medical Doctor Serving in Afghanistan presently
I am here to negotiate with you on a possible transfer of $4.5 Million to you for safe -keeps and Investments. I made the money from an oil business I did in Afghanistan with an Afghanistan citizen. I need a good partner who I can trust to assist me in receiving the consignment on my behalf.
All arrangement to bring out the consignment from Afghanistan have being concluded with a United Nations diplomat. I need someone who can receive it since I cannot receive it directly due to my status.
I am offering you 20% of the total sum for your assistance and the 80% will be transferred to my account which I will instruct you in my next email to you on how it will be transferred to my account.
Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where the funds can be sent to.
If you are interested I will furnish you with more details. But the whole process is simple and we must keep a low profile at all times. The best mode of communication to me is through email.
I look forward to your reply and co-operation, and I thank you in advance as I anticipate your co-operation waiting for your urgent response.
Thanks for your understanding.
Best Regard,
Sgt Susanne Lee
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Anti-fraud resources:
