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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr.Reed
Reply-To: <ianreed65.5@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2015 01:39:14 +0100
Subject: Re:Second Notice
RE:Second Notice
We wish to notify you again that you are listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of Thirteen million One hundred thousand dollars in the codicil
and last testament of the deceased.
We contact you because you bear the last name identity and can apply as
the beneficiary to the inheritance. We recommend that you can receive these
funds as you are eligible to apply based on your name. All the legal
papers will be process in your acceptance and approval of this mutual
transaction.
Best Regards
Ian Reed
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Anti-fraud resources:
