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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "00,000.00" (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.
- 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: Lahardo Senin <lahardo_senin@rocketmail.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2014 01:34:41 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Very Important / Read Carefully And Reply Back.
Sir,
The IMF and the Government of Nigeria have resolved to pay all those who receive scam e-mails and all those who pay to scammers the compensation sum of US$500,000.00 ( FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ) Your e-mail address is included as one of those who received scam e-mails as such you are to receive the compensation sum of US$500,000.00 I advise you to reply back with your information so as to enable us process on how you are to receive the compensation sum of US$500,000.00
Regards,
Mr.Lahardo Senin.
Tel: +234 81076 20145
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Anti-fraud resources:
