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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:
- "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: Bona Williams <bonawil583@gmail.com>
Reply-To: 0225mgr@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:47:00 +0100
Subject: I Need Your Attention Pls.
Dear,
Pls, I need your kind urgent attention! I am reaching you with faith to
solicit for your kind assistance to help me achieve investment in your
country. I will like to invest this sum of $16.7 Million Dollars. through
your kind faithful assistance towards my need.
I am desecrate in need of your Kind help to achieve this effort in your
country. I do not have much idea or good knowledge about your country to
manage the big money. I will be very happy if you can be willing to help me
Accomplish this investment plan with your help
So please kindly indicate your interest while I will appreciate to feed you
with more information on your response to help me. I will like to offer you
15% of the total amount for your kind assistance.
Anxiously waiting for your interesting reply!
Best Regards.
Michael Grady.
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Anti-fraud resources:
