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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:
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Nellie Johnson <iz_oh@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Nellie Johnson <nelliejoh98@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 00:06:45 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Miss Nellie Johnson.
My dear "
It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture Everything I intend to establish in your country. Although I have not met with you before I believe a goal HAVE risking trust before you can succeed sometimes in life. Please , I really need you to stand as my guardian. 'm Miss.Nellie Johnson.
I am contacting you because I need your help in the management of the sum of ( $ 10.5 million U.S. dollars ) All my late father , Mr. Kone Johnson left for me before he died. The fund is deposited in one of the finical home here in our country , I will offer you 20% of the total fund for helping to transfer the funds to your account.
aI want you to stand as my partner business purposes Father and my tutor and the designated beneficiary of the fund Since I am only 18 years old and without a mother and father to the bank will transfer the money to your account beyond at home so I can leave this country to join you there to begin a happier and better life with you .
Please , I would like to respond to this email to tell you all the details on how it will help me .
I am waiting for your urgent response .
Thank you and God bless you and your family.
Your sincerely ,
Miss Nellie Johnson.
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