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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Kweku Patrick <kwpatrick642@gmail.com>
Reply-To: asar.patrick7@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2021 13:36:45 +0000
Subject: Re: Thanks for your understanding
Dear friend,
I hope this letter meets you in good health. I am writing to solicit your
assistance in the transfer of US$15,000,000.00.
I am willing to transfer the fund and, invest in your country through your
assistance only if you will be willing to work with me. I am in Ghana
presently and I would like to transfer into your account and invest in
your country if possible.
The fund is being held under a Non-investment account with SCB Ghana
Limited. I will program your name on the account holding the fund as the
original depositor and then process outward remittance of the funds to you.
You will get 45% commission of the total funds for your role plus the
investment of my portion under a documented working agreement in your
country.
Please get back to me with your response alongside your physical contact
address/telephone number and we will move quickly to consummate the deal.
With regards
Mr Kweku A. Patrick
SCB Ghana Ltd.
Tema Branch, Ghana
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Anti-fraud resources:
