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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:
- 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)
- "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- yerimangama3@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: margaret smith <margaret0000smith@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2021 16:32:32 +0100
Subject: Attention My Good Friend.
Attention My Good Friend.
Hi I am Mr MOHAMMED ABACHA, the son to Late Nigeria Head Of State Gen.
SANI ABACHA. I am contacting you to see if the family can make an
investment deal of USD $500 Million Dollars in your hands for safety?
I will give you more details as soon as I receive your affirmative
interest to proceed with me by confirming the below details:
Your full name:...............,
Your address:..................,
Your telephone number:............
I await your Response.
Healthy regards,
Mohammed Abacha.
E-mail: yerimangama3@gmail.com
For the Family.
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Anti-fraud resources:
