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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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "FBI DIRECTOR" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fbigroup43@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2013 07:24:28 -0700
Subject: VERY URGENT
I am James B. Comey the new FBI director; please I want you to stop communicating with any office in Africa or any country for your own good.
How did you want to receive your unpaid fund from United nation, I have 2 option
(Via bank to bank wire transfer) it will cost you $180
(Via Atm Visa card) it will cost you $97
Please choose and affect the payment with information below
Receiver’s name: EKEMEZIE INNOCENT
Receiver’s country: ABUJA NIGERIA
Question: color
Answer: Green
Amount
Please after you send the money call me with my number: 206-259-8245 and reconfirm your address and phone number.
Do not be advice not to send the money just go right now and send the money and get back to me with the payment details
James B. Comey
The FBI Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
