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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:
- "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 Olivia" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrr2ql@Safe-mail.net>
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2016 04:44:18 -0700
Subject: Foreign Investment Inquiry
Investment Proposal.
I make this appeal with the hope that I can trust you to assist me invest my late husband funds in your country. The content of this mail are expressed in confidence and solely for your personal information.
I am seeking your assistance to invest 11 Million Dollars in your country as joint investment. More details will be availed to you upon your reply with required information.
Full names:
Home address:
Mobile phone number:
Occupation:
My first son will contact you upon your reply to prepare the necessary document that will give you access to the fund. I await your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Olivia
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Anti-fraud resources:
