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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 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)
- "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Elizabeth Dicampli" <test@import-office.biz>
Reply-To: majoredicamplimm@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2018 00:14:07 +0300
Subject: Can i trust you?
MaJor Elizabeth DiCampli
Nurse Corps Officer at United States Army
Assignment Under United Nation Syria Chapter
San Diego State University-California State University
My name is Elizabeth DiCampli. Am on Assignment with United Nation . I work with United Nation as a Nurse Corps. I got a reward from one of the politicians that i helped out. He offered me a cash reward and the amount is $1.8 Million Dollars. I need your assistance and trust to signal the money out from here because is not safe staying with me here due to my job. You know how Politicians throws money around especially when they see a pretty woman. And our main office has no idea about this reward that is why i need someone out there i can trust who can handle this for me no matter what it cost.
I have make all arrangement to signal it out online to avoid an eyebrow from my place of work, and any institution that got the signal will contact you via email. This is a favor from God this new year and i want you to be my partner to get this done.
I will give you 40% of the total amount am not a greedy woman. I want to be sure if you are capable to handle this for me no matter what it takes.I have make all arrangement to signal it out online but i need your assistance as my benefactor, and any institution that got the signal will contact you via email is a new way to move funds. Any country can get the signal, Europe USA Asia or Africa.
All you need is to follow their instruction and they will brief you how the transfer will be made. Can i trust you? This is a new year opportunity. Reply me back as soon as you got my message.
Major Elizabeth Dicampli
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Anti-fraud resources:
