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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:
- "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: "Prince Egodi" <princebenson774@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: bensonprince620@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 02:47:11 -0700
Subject: In confidence / Prince
In confidence / Prince
Hello Dear,
I am well confident of your capability to assist me in a
transaction for mutual benefit of both parties, ie (me and
you) I am also believing that you will not expose or
betray the trust and confidence I am about to establish
with you. I have decided to contact you with greatest delight and
personal respect.
I am Mr Prince Son of Chief Egodi Een Tarawally from sierra leone but residing in Ivory Coast in Africa.It is my desire to contact you on honesty and sincerity to assist me in securing the sum of $18.5 Million (Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) inherited from my father late Mr. Son of Dr Egodi Een Tarawally to your country for investment. I am motivated in contacting you and hope to gradually build trust in relationship and confidence in you as I get to know you better.
So please I want to know if you will be of assistance but first I want to get to know you better. I am willing to offer you 14% of the total sum for your effort input after the successful transfer of this money and investment.. Indicate your interest towards assisting me by sending your phone # and address so that I can communicate with you at any time. I will be waiting for your response.
Thanks
Prince Egodi Tarawally
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Anti-fraud resources:
