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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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr John George <wrda89502@gmail.com>
Reply-To: bifie1654@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2021 06:03:01 -0700
Subject: your atm visa card
Attention
Dear good friend this man Mr, Allen John from your country came to our
office today said that you on the way to go and buy the Steam Wallet
card of $50 and you got an accident and took you to hospital you died,
and we want to confirm from you now before we are allow him to pay the
fee because he said that his your next of kin and he want to pay the
$50 today to claim this your total amount of $40. 8 Million dollars
with your atm visa card so i am waiting your urgent reply back to me
before he will pay the $50 today so if you want to claim this your
amount with your atm visa card here today try to buy the Steam Wallet
card today and scratch it very well and snap it picture send it to me
before he will claim this your funds with your atm visa card and once
you pay the $50 today try to send me your full information with your
airport with your needed me to coming direct with your atm visa card
so am wait your urgent reply back to me today ,
Your full name:..........
Home address:..........
Your country:..........
Your city:..........
Telephone:..........
Occupation:..........
Your Age :..........
your copy id card ...
Best regard
Mr John George
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Anti-fraud resources:
