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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:
- "you are advise 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: "Mrs Aishah Ahmad" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <andcas717@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2020 06:44:22 -0500
Subject: RE
Attention
I have been able to use my influence and position as a regional
financial coordinator in ongoing program between European Union
Commission, International Monitory Fund and United Nation to inform
you that your long over-due fund payment has been deposited with a
bank in Atlanta Georgia USA.
The authority has resolute to release your fund without no delay
through the bank. You are advise to respond back to me with your
details contact to enable me furnish you with the full details about
the payment so you can contact the bank and instruct then to release
your fund into your account.
I am waiting to hear from you.
Regards,
Mrs Aishah Ahmad
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Anti-fraud resources:
