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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 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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Admini Staff" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <davidcameron2018@rediffmail.com>
Date: Tue, 29 May 2018 21:34:10 +0100
Subject: New notice???
I wish to notify you again that your name was mentioned as heir to the total sum of Three Million British Pounds.In the last testament of our deceased client name now withheld. We came across your profile and email while searching through genealogy database.
Note as the heir hunters our aim is to assist people claim their lost relative fortune instead of the government or Bank MDS to use the money to enrich their treasury. Please send an acknowledgment email to enable us process your inheritance with all due verification process.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours Faithfully,
Administrative Staff.
European Debt Recovery Agent, UK.Ref:122
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Anti-fraud resources:
