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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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: anthony douglas <anthonydouglas017@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2014 16:43:35 -0700
Subject: How are you doing?
Dear Friend,
How are you doing?
I was the personal attorney of the deceased Mr. Daniel Anderson who worked
as an oil contractor and kept $ 20 million dollars in the bank until his
death in a car accident along with his entire family . He was an orphan and
grew up in an orphanage home and had no living relatives here.
However, I am an honest and sincere person and is sorry for the invasion of
your privacy without permission. I would like to ask for your cooperation
so I that I can introduce you to the bank as a successor to the money
belonging to deceased Mr. Daniel Anderson, which he kept in the bank.
This is possible because I have all the necessary document of proof, and
will personally make the required arrangements in accordance with the law
so that the money can be paid to you as heir and recipient beneficiary.
Sincerely,
Mr. Anthony Douglas (Esq.)
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Anti-fraud resources:
