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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 united states 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: "Miss Nadia Alfaleh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <h.must411111@outlook.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2017 15:14:12 -0700
Subject: FROM - Ms Nadia - PLS. Treat As Urgent.
Dear Friend,
I am Miss Nadia Alfaleh the daughter of late Alferai Al-Aleem Alfaleh of Syria Republic an Oil MERCHANT. I just escaped SYRIAN POLITICAL/CIVIL war. I HAVE A BUSINESS PORTFOLIO FOR OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT. MY LATE FATHER WHO WAS A VICTIM OF THE ONGOING CIVIL WAR LEFT ME A HERITAGE OF USD58M [ FIFTY EIGHT MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ] STASHED IN A SECURITY VAULT AND I NEED A FUND MANAGER TO SECURE THE FUNDS FOR US FOR INVESTMENT. If you are interested in GOLD I also have some 125 Kilos in safe. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED TO DO BUSINESS WITH ME, THEN CONTACT ME WITH YOUR FULL DETAIL.
NAMES...................................................................
ADDRESS...............................................................
PHONE...................................................................
COUNTRY...............................................................
OCCUPATION/PROFESSION.......................................
AGE......................................................
SEX.......................................................
NOTE: My late father wants me to get a FUND MANAGER to manage the funds or GET MARRIED FOR THE FUND TO BE MANAGED RESPONSIBLY BY ME AND MY HUSBAND.
IF YOU ARE A WOMAN OR A MARRIED MAN - THE OPTION TO MARRY IS NOT FOR YOU, THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
Truly Yours
Miss Nadia Alfaleh
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Anti-fraud resources:
