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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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: "Mr.Kwabenya Andrew." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <emmndu61@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2019 17:06:48 -0800
Subject: Re: reply .....
Dear Sir/Madam
I am a senior officer at my bank in Ghana, I have a business opportunity to propose to you. We had a foreign client who is a Gold Merchant here in Ghana who is from your country. Deposited a large sum of money with our bank ($3.2 Million Dollars) and has (120KG) of gold bars with safekeeping company. Eventually, died without next of kin. I want to introduce you to my bank as the next of kin and you will take 50% as your share.
If you are interested contact me at my email only. Your information is all I require to facilitate the claims application on your behalf.
Regards,
Mr.Kwabenya Andrew.
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Anti-fraud resources:
