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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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: Richard <dr.smith.young@gmail.com>
Reply-To: richardfong59@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2020 10:44:13 +0200
Subject: Hello dear.
My dear Godly Friend.
I need your urgent attention to this letter if you have heart of
humanity in you. I know this message will come to you as a surprise
but do not worry because this world is full of miserable things.
I am a Singaporean affected by dreaded cancer. I am an old man and my
case is worsening everyday and I not know what will happen soonest as
my doctor has warned that I have only 2 weeks to live.
I have the sum of 3.5 million dollars in one of the banks. I want to
secretly move the fund to you for charitable humanity purpose. I did
not have a a child and and my wife died a long time agao and I don't
want greedy officials to take money if am no more.
Please if really touches your heart to help please reply urgently
I will give you more details on how to go about it.
My Sincere regards.
Mr. Richard Fong.
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Anti-fraud resources:
