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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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- presidency13@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: PRESIDENCY <presidency13@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:02:41 -0430
Subject: ATTENTION: FUND BENEFICIARY
The Office Of the Presidency
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Aso Rock Villa, Abuja
ATTENTION: FUND BENEFICIARY
This office under the supervision of the President and Commander in
Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
will like to have your attention if you have ever had any outstanding
contract payment, Inheritance payment or by any means been a victim of
fraud by any official of the government of Nigeria.
Please report any of this category directly to this unit:
Name:
Address:
Tel/fax:
Amount:
Payment Category:
TO
Email: presidency13@yahoo.com.hk
You will receive a special attention from the highest office in
Nigeria as directed by the president immediately.
Sincerly
From the Office of the President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Email: presidency13@yahoo.com.hk
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Anti-fraud resources:
