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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "my names are " (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. Momodu Ali" <msmiriamc@gmail.com>
Reply-To: momodualib@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 12:29:45 +0100
Subject: THIS NEW YEAR 2015 MESSAGE IS FOR YOU.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I do recognize the surprise this letter will bring to you, most
especially as it came from a stranger. My names are Mr. Momodu Ali
Bana a citizen of Borno State Nigeria where the Islamist Militant Boko
Haram has invaded. I am presently in a hideout here in Burkina Faso
under Amnesty and Human Rights International. I am planning to have
aviable Investment in your country, but due to my present predicament
I am unable to do this directly. I realize it's easy for me to invest
in your country in as much as i have a partner who is a citizen in
your country. I need your assistance in the area of funds
delivery/transfer and investment, and I shall give full details upon
your reply.
Thanks,
Mr. Momodu Ali Bana.
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Anti-fraud resources:
