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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ouattara" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nkongoouattara@yahoo.in>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 00:43:27 +0800
Subject: Ouattara
Dear Good Friend,
I know you might be surprised receiving my message. There
is however no reason to be apprehensive as all I request
is for
your co-operation to have the sum of Six million Euro
transferred out of the bank located in Benin Republic.
I am an Attorney;a deceased client of mine that shares
the same last name as yours, died as a result of a
heart-related condition Leaving
behind the above deposit.
Everything regarding the transaction is already
perfected, so you should please email me with the
following information:
1. Full Names
2. Address (physical)
3. Telephone numbers and fax (if applicable)
4. Occupation and position
So that we can reach an agreement and kick-start the
transaction.
Yours Sincerely,
Barrister Ouattara Nkongo
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Anti-fraud resources:
