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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million british pounds" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- amosharrison75@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Amos Harrison" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2017 00:51:17 +0200
Subject: Financial Consultant
Dear Friend
I am a financial consultant in united kingdom (UK) and I am contacting you in respect of my late
client fund valued £12.7 Million British Pounds Sterling which has been deposited with a bank here in UK
and it is in the process of been confiscate by his bank after many years unclaimed, I decided to contact you because you bear the same last name with him.
Kindly indicate your interest by sending me your
1.Full name.
2. Age
3. Marital status
4. Postal address.
5. Home /office and cell phone numbers for direct easy communication.
You will be entitle to 50%, 40% for me and 10% to defray all cost.
Yours Sincerely
Amos Harrison
amosharrison75@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
