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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "K . Murayama" <cojimurayamajp@gmail.com>
Reply-To: murayamafinance@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2021 12:29:23 +0100
Subject: Carefully read and reply.
Dear.
My name is Koji Murayama. I am from Japan. Currently suffering from
cancer for more than 8 years now. The illness has actually stopped me
from doing a lot of activities both business and otherwise. My main
reason for contacting you is to seek your cooperation in investment
and carrying out my dying wish.
As you know cancer is a very deadly disease and the doctors have
predicted my passing away many times but I know sooner or later it
will definitely happen.
[A] First I want to entrust the sum of ELEVEN MILLION DOLLARS into
your hands to invest in your country in a business choice of yours.
[B] The annual profit of the proposed investment will be split into
two [A] 65% of it will be donated to orphanage homes/ less privileged
ones. Then the remaining 35% can be spent at your discretion which is
as good as a reward for hard work.
I know it is very hard to believe such a gesture and dying wish, but I
urge you to be positive in fulfilling all these request's and so you
will be blessed.
If you are willing, kindly send me your details and I will send more
information in regards to how you can proceed. Once again thank you
for your understanding as I wait in anticipation. My regards to your
family.
Yours Faithfully.
K Murayama
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Anti-fraud resources:
