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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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: "Grace Udoson" <udosong@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2017 18:44:15 -0700
Subject: My Best Regards
My dearest in the lord how are you today I hope fine?
I pray that this mail will meet you in good condition of health; also I pray that God will touch your heart to help me after reading my mail. My name is Miss. Grace Udoson I am an orphan; I am writing this mail to you with due respect and trust. Please my dear, can you help me to claim and transfer out my inheritance sum of $ 3,500,000.00 US Dollars to your account and also help me with VISA and ticket to come over to your country for the investment of the money and further my education?
I inherited the money from late parents. I will be very grateful to hear from you so I can tell you more details about myself and my plans.
God bless you
Grace Udoson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
