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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:
- ",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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Anthony Bennett <maryamboltz@gmail.com>
Reply-To: afbenco@usa.com
Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2021 08:25:16 +0100
Subject: HELLO
I am Anthony Bennett. I am an American soldier presently on active
service in Afghanistan. I served with the Third Infantry Division in
Iraq, before thousand of my lucky colleagues were pulled out in August
Last year, leaving me among the unlucky ones drafted to Afghanistan
where I am serving presently.
I found your contact detail in a address journal am seeking your
assistance to evacuate the sum of $17,000,000.00 to you as long as I
am assured that it will be safe in your care until I complete my
service here in Afghanistan. This is not stolen money and there are no
dangers involved. Do get back to me with your response and i will
forward more information to you.
Respectfully submitted.
Anthony Bennett
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Anti-fraud resources:
