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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: Viviasyak Kone <viviasyakkone1@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2017 09:12:06 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: PLEASE REPLY BACK IMMEDIATELY
Dear friend
I am Dr Vivias Kone , I want you to work with me as a foreign partner also as family members or close relatives to my late client who deposited USD$4.5Million dollars in a bank here my country before his death, and a nationality of your country, The bank has given me notice as his account officer who sign and witness everything to present the next of kin of the fund or the money will be confiscated if i fail, I need your immediate reply to enable me send more Detailed information about this project to you.
Thanks
Dr vivias Kone
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Anti-fraud resources:
