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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:
- "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: Wilfred Kabore <kaborewilfred6@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2017 14:48:16 +0100
Subject: HELLO
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Dear Friend,
Greetings and hope this mail meets you well!
I want you to be my partner in the transfer of the sum of $12.7
Million dollars discovered in my department in one of the leading
Banks (EcoBank Plc) here in Burkina-Faso. I shall give you more
informations on this proposal when I get your reply, but be rest
assured that I will give you 40% of the total sum once the transfer is
completed but you have to
maintain secrecy of this deal if you are ready to work with me.
God bless you as I wait for your response.
Dr. Kabore Wilfred
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Anti-fraud resources:
