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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 friend" (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: "Edward" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <freddyketuh@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2019 23:32:05 -0700
Subject: Re: VERY URGENT REPLY FROM YOU
Hello Dear Friend.
I am Stephen Moore, a Banker and credit system programmer I saw your email address while browsing through the bank DTC Screen in my office yesterday so I decided to use this very chance to know you.
Your Name tally with the Next of Kin to our deceased Customer, an Oil Merchant/Contractor with the Government of Republic of Ghana, whose Contract sum value at US$120 Million has Matured and awaiting administrative order for remittance .
I will use my office to place you as the next of Kin to the deceased Customer, and we shall share the Fund 40/60%. Do get back to me with (1) Your Full Name:(2) Residential Address:(3) Phone and Mobile number:.....
Get back to me for further Details via: email
Awaiting your Response
Have a pleasant day.
Stephen Moore
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Anti-fraud resources:
