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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:
- "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 next of kin scam.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- jimcoleman865@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: john coleman <johncolema666@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2015 00:29:32 +0100
Subject: RE
I am john Coleman, an attorney at law. A
deceased client of mine died as a result of a
heart-related condition in May 25th 2007.Leaving
behind a deposit valued at $15.7 million
dollars. His heart condition was due to the
death of all the members of his family.
I want you to assist in distributing the money
left behind by my client before it is
confiscated or declared unserviceable by the
bank.
The bank has issued me a notice to contact the
next of kin. My proposition to you is to seek
your consent to present you as the next-of-kin
and beneficiary of my late client. This will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of
the law, and you will share 30% of the total
sum for your assistance.
You are advised to contact me urgently on my
private EMAIL: jimcoleman865@yahoo.com
Best Regards,
Jim Coleman
This communication links contained herein, is
for the sole use of the intended recipient and
may contain information that is confidential or
legally protected.
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Anti-fraud resources:
