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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:
- "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. John Wright" <revm.smith2maggy@gmail.com>
Reply-To: inter.switch.swift@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2020 00:49:00 +0100
Subject: Payment
Attn: Beneficiary,
We have received an official letter regarding the release of your approved fund of US$ 1.2 million dollars part payment. We are very sorry for the unnecessary delay by corrupt officials who has been trying to divert all inheritances into their private account for their own selfish interest, to make everything fast and easy we have decided to release your funds through our ATM Swift Card Payment System or your funds can also be transferred by Key Tested Telex (K.T.T) Wire Transfer through Bank to Bank Account (Swift System), This is to enable you receive your fund conveniently.
Kindly provide details below:
(1) Full Names:
(2) Complete Address:
(3) Nationality:
(4) Direct Phone Number:
(5) Preferred Currency:
Yours Faithfully,
John Wright
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Anti-fraud resources:
