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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 pounds" (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: Thomas McComb <danot2uk@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 02:13:17 -0400
Subject: Hello
Dear friend:
I am contacting you regarding the money of £12 Million Pounds belonging
to a dead national of your country Ms. Jennet Millson, maybe she might
be your relative but she died in an car accident that killed all
members of her families including her husband and their only child when
they were returning from vacation. All members of their families died
in the road accident and she has no other living relative to receive
her money.
i need your help to assist get this money out from the bank so that
this money will not be confiscated by the bank where it is deposited
and we shall share the money equal. i wait for your response and i will
give you more details about this money and how to receive it.
Sincerely
Thomas McComb
Bill & Exchange Manager.
Thomas.McComb@outlook.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
