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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:
- "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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Oman Salif <omansalif8@gmail.com>
Reply-To: oman.salif7@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2014 04:10:36 +0200
Subject: Dear sir/madam,
Dear Friend,
I am the General Audit Manager, Accounts Department in our bank in
Burkina-Faso; I have a business opportunity to propose you. We had a
foreign client who is a Gold Merchant. Deposited a large sum of money
with our bank ($20.5Million Dollars). Eventually, died in a car
accident without next of kin. I want to introduce you to my bank as
the next of kin.
Based on the fact that this is a deal, I propose 50% of this fund for
you and 50% for me. I will let you know what next to do when you have
assured me your interest and capability to handle this transaction.
1. Your Full Names and Address.
2. Direct Telephone and Fax numbers
Thanks and hoping to hear from you soon.
Mr. Oman Salif
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Anti-fraud resources:
