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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "trunk box" (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: "Captain James Adkins" <info200@stametstossolenginc.com>
Reply-To: adkinsjamesusmc@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2019 00:37:43 -0700
Subject: Matter of urgency
Hi
Trust you re doing great? I am Captain James Adkins of the Marine Corps
Currently on special assignments in Syria. I got a serious knee
Injury from a hand grenade terrorist bomb attack couple of days ago. Our team of surgeons is working hard to get me back to my feet. Need your prayers here. I also need your assistance to receive and keep very important Valuable safe till am back home. During our recent attack on a terrorist base here in Syria, I came across huge sum of money amounting to two million six hundred thousand Dollars. I have arranged it nicely in a trunk box including other personal valuables. I have also concluded arrangement with a Red Cross buddy I met here in Syria to get the trunk delivered to you for safe keep till I come home. There is absolutely no risk involved. Kindly get back at me ASAP for more details. Your assistance will be greatly rewarded.
It’s a matter of urgency; I will appreciate your urgent response.
Best Regards,
Captain James Adkins
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Anti-fraud resources:
