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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Sofia Ali" <ng11@voila.fr>
Reply-To: mrs_sofia949@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 8 May 2013 05:11:27 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear friend,
Dear friend,
Please read carefully and get back to me,
I am Mrs. Sofia Ali a Staff of International Bank Of Africa (B.O.A) Burkina Faso, in West Africa. I would like you to indicate your interest to receive the transfer of (USD 10.5 Million Dollars) I will like you to stand as the rightful Beneficiary to the deceased whose account is presently dormant for claims. Please once you are interested kindly send me the following details information of yours below.
1. Your Full Name:
2. Direct Mobile Number:
3. Resident Address:
4. Sex / Age:
5. Occupation / Position:
6. Nationality:
Upon the receipt of your reply, I will give you the full details on how the business will be executed and therefore you will apply to the bank with your reliable bank account details where our bank will transfer the fund into and immediately the fund is transferred into your account we will share the fund according to the percentage indicated (60%) of the total fund will be for me ( 35%) for you in provision of the Bank account while (5%) will be preserved for helping the helpless people, like charity organization and motherless babies.
Immediately you confirm the payment into your account I will visit your country for sharing the money according to the percentage as scheduled.
Regards
Mrs. Sofia Ali
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Anti-fraud resources:
