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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: Usma Hassen <gracekonan25@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: Usma Hassen <uusmanhassen@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 01:00:31 -0800
Subject: From Usman Hassen
From Usman Hassen
Dear Sir,
My name is Usman Hassen 19"yrs old from LYBIA.
My fathers was assassinated by the rebels leader following the political uprising in Cote D' Ivoire.Before his death he had an
outlet foreign account in a bank here in Côte d´Ivoire up to the tune of $9,000.000.00. Million dollars for importation of cocoa processing machine.
I am seeking for a foreign partner assistance who will help me to invest this money in a good profitable business vanture overseas.
Please if you are willing to assist me
,indicate your interest in replying this letter.
God bless.
Usman Hassen.
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Anti-fraud resources:
