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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: howard johnson <howardjohnson000@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2014 16:05:55 +0000
Subject: URGENT
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Howard Johnson, the only Son of late Mr&Mrs Johnson Ali, I need you to
help me to retrieved the consignment that my late Father deposited
with Bank: Agricultural Development Bank, and the money was deposit by
my late father in a Bank: Agricultural Development before he died.
I want to invest the money in your country and continue my studies.the
money is ($ 15.5 million) I will give you 30% of the Total money for
your help.
I assure you in the name of the almighty Lord and also send you the
documents of the consignment.please i we like you to sent to me
information like phone number so that i we sent you for more details
and if you want to work with me please get back to me
I am awaiting your reply
Thank you Howard Johnson
Best Regards
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Anti-fraud resources:
