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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rebecca Gross" <rebeccagross446@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2014 23:30:36 -1000
Subject: Re: Hello my Dear
Re: Hello my Dear
My name is Rebecca Gross. I am the daughter and only child of Late Chief Kamera Gross who was a wealthy cocoa merchant
before his sudden death during the recent political crisis in our country. I inherited Twelve million Seven hundred
thousand United States Dollars (US$12.7M) i want to invest in your country. If you are interested to be my partner and
assist me transfer the money to your account for the investments, i will give you 20% of the total money. Reply me
immediately for more details on how we will proceed without delay.
Thanks
Rebecca
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Anti-fraud resources:
