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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms.Jones Paul" <westernunionbonus2020@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officeservice694@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2021 04:58:26 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend,
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Condolences Notice!
We welcomed Mr. William and Mrs. Jennifer yesterday evening at our
office with a painful report that you had an accident few month ago
and couldn't survive the accident when you was on your way to work.
They claimed that they are your siblings that they seriously need your
fund to prepare your burial ceremony which they came with $100 to
clear all the necessary charge and claim your fund.
If you're not dead,please kindly respond now and have your fund before
it's too late but If you're truly dead,may your soul rest in peace.
We should release your fund to them to conduct your burial smoothly as
they requested if we didn't hear from you in the next two days.
May your spirit avenge who ever caused your sudden death.Amen
Best regard
Mr. Philip Richard
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Anti-fraud resources:
