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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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.Charles Gates" <paulhenry442@gmail.com>
Reply-To: williamsben22@aol.com
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2021 14:39:41 -0700
Subject: Attention Beneficiary.
--
Dear Customer,
This is to notify you That your funds valued Eight Million Seven
Hundred Thousand united states dollars (U.S. $8.7 million ) has been
released today to the Bank Of Africa,For your convenience, You Will
Have to transfer Through Within 24hrs online by yourself to your local
account and By of this method, You Will monitor the movement of the
local funds online till your account is duly credits.
Contact the Bank Of Africa with your full name and address to Provide
personal information with the login details And furnished us with your
full contact information so You Can commence the transfer by yourself.
Contact person:Bank Manager:Thank you for banking with us.
Regards,
Bank Manager.
Williams Ben
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Anti-fraud resources:
