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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:
- "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: "Mr. Howard Collins." <smithwilliamsego13@gmail.com>
Reply-To: contactofficefd@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2018 10:44:22 -0800
Subject: Attention: Sir
--
Attention: Sir
It was resolved after the Board meetings today by the foreign
Remittance office to release all outstanding payment waiting for
transfer for the year 2018 to all beneficiary's to redeem the image
and reputation.
We are hereto bring your notice that your Thirty Million United States
Dollars (US$30.M) has been approved but someone by name Mr Tom Brown
of England United Kingdom tendered a bank account as the beneficiary
claiming that you have legally
authorized him to receive the fund on your behalf.
How true is that? Update us with your full Information,
Your full name
Your cell phone
Your home address
Your photo identity card
Your age
Occupation
Company name
Thanks,
Mr. Howard Collins.
Due Process Unit.
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Anti-fraud resources:
