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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)
- "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: "Mrs. Asma al-Assad" <zatima2008@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: asmaralbashar@muslim.com
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:50:29 +0100
Subject: Investment Assistance !!!!!
Dear Friend,
Investment Assistance.
I am Mrs. Asma al-Assad wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Due
to war in my country Syria I want to invest in your country. I have
funds I deposited in Dubai United Arab Emirate value about
US$25.5MILLION Dollars.
I want to use these funds for investment in your country. I want to
front you as my business partner the funds will release to you for an
investment in your country. All the necessary documents of the funds
will process on your favor and send to you before the Dubai bank will
release the funds to you. I will like to invest into Real Estate in
your country. You will manage the investment and bringing return to me
here.
Get back to me I will give you details regarding the funds.
Thanks
Mrs. Asma al-Assad
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Anti-fraud resources:
