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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Francesco Contesso" <test1@iwonline.com.cn>
Reply-To: l.rauchenberger@rediffmail.com
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 16:48:48 -0400
Subject: RE: PAYMENT UPDATE FROM EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSION
Mr. Francesco Contesso
Adviser, EU Commission
Attn: Sir/Ma,
The Management of the Bretton Wood wishes to inform you that after a brief meeting held by the Bank executives yesterday that United Nations and International Monetary Funds has approved the sum of US$2,500,000(Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in your favor for being a SCAM VICTIM and this is together with your accrued interest over time. This approved Funds can come to you in either way you will choose from the agreed and arranged ways by the Economic Team of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
The Economic Team recommended this payment to EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSION and to use it to bring back foreign investors that have left the shores of this great European. The Economic Team believe that it will help to revive and boost the economy of European union. You should count yourself lucky that you are chosen for this payment among many overdue payment files in the European Central Bank and Federal Reserved Bank.
You are advice to reconfirm the following details:
Full Name------
Phone/Mobile number------
Full Address------------
As soon as the above information is received for verification and authentication purposes, I will forward your file to the payment authority for final approval and prompt release of your funds without any further delay. This process will take only 48 working hours as soon as we hear from you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Mr. Francesco Contesso
Adviser, EU Commission
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Anti-fraud resources:
