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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: "Robert Bradley" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barubangunbos@yandex.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2020 21:28:32 -0000
Subject: Coronavirus Palliative Funds.
Sir/Madam,
I am a Consultant and Representative to the United Nations Coronavirus pandemic financial palliative planning endowment supportive project, sharing funds to the poor and needy in your country to curb the pandemic menace raving some homes & families in major Communities/Regions.
While searching for a Representatives whom will assist United Nations, I found you worthy to work with the United Nations in your country and Communities/Regions. I need a trusted person who can share our funds of $4.5 Million dollars or more than the amount to the poor Communicate/Region, the homeless and less privilege to give them hope. We will pay the Representatives and recommend him/her for an American Permanent Residence Certificates.
I want you to provide me the necessary details needed for this process.
FULL NAMES:__________SEX: _____ AGE: ______MARITAL STATUS:_______________COUNTRY: ______ CONTACT ADDRESS:
________________________PHONE NO#___________FAX NO#_________________OCCUPATION:______________
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as i stated herein. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Thanks
Best Regards,
Robert Bradley
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Anti-fraud resources:
