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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:
- "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)
- "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)
- "contact me immediately" (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: Alida Afram <geminioutput@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: en2010ci@live.fr
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 20:31:45 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Awaiting your immediate response
My Dear,
I am introducing my self as Miss. Alida Afram, the only
Daughter of late Dr.Kosey Afram, I wish to request for your assistance
in a financial transaction.
And I wish to invest in Manufacturing and
real estate management in your country. Or possibly any good lucrative
businesses you know much better.
I have Five million seven
hundred thousand United States dollars USD ($5.700,000) to invest in
your country, and I will require your assistance in helping me stand as
my late father's foreign business partner who he deposited the
consignment on his behalf into the Security Company, the consignment was
deposited in Africa where the consignment is now under the care of the
security company. I will still go to the Security Company and fine out
more as soon as I hear seriously from you.
Please it is very important you contact me immediately for further explanation on the entire work plan.
Awaiting your immediate response
Thanks and God bless.
Best Regards
Alida Afram
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Anti-fraud resources:
