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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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Jane <mariamkenzo77@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsjaneanderson204@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2020 12:07:22 +0000
Subject: A CONTRIBUTION FOR THE WORK OF GOD.
My dear,
Remain blessed as you welcome this project in your country,
I saw your profile on www.facebook and I think you can help establish
a charitable foundation for the benefit of humanity with 3.4million
dollars which is my inheritance fund from my late husband.
I want to establish a charitable foundation to help the poor in your
country under your care. Can you help me build this project in your
country? We can make the world a better place when we help each other,
Looking forward to reading from you today and knowing your opinion
when doing this project,
Remain blessed,
Mrs. Jane Anderson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
