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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Karis" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kortega@virgilio.it>
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 20.12.25 +0100
Subject: I need your response.
Attention My dear Friend.
Hello I send my greeting to you, I have been trying to reach you for quite some time on an important affair which involve a deceased estate who happen to be someway related to you, please understand that this is no joke, the deceased is a client of mine here in the United Kingdom and happen to have the same last name with you. I happen to come across your information and made enquiry which I got confirmation on your last name. Now please understand that I have the Authority of making you the beneficiary to his estate with our bank. I have all the details and required information to make you the beneficiary to the entire deposit only i need your consent. Please i expect your response to this message so as to enable me furnish you more detail if you are interested, please i look forward to your mail response. Thank you.
Mr.Karis.
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Anti-fraud resources:
