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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: Susan Williams <williamssusan_sss1@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Susan Williams <williamssusana_sss1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 04:07:34 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Hello,
Hello,
I am Mrs. Susan Williams, Nationality ( Ghana ) Staff of a Bank in Cote d'ivoire. Indicate your
interest to receive the transfer of (US$8.Eight Million Dollars) 60%
for me and 40% for you.
I want you to poss as the next of kin to our late customer whose
account is currently dormant,
I advise you to keep this as a "top secret" as I am still in service
and intend to retire from service after I conclude this deal with you
If you accept my offer I will need the following information below to
commence the process.
YOUR FULL NAME//........
NATIONALITY//...............
PHONE N°//..........
ADDRESS:..........
Kindly reply me as soon as possible with the above information..
Regard
Mrs. Susan Williams,
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Anti-fraud resources:
