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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Noeline Fujioka <morrisdanke@gmail.com>
Reply-To: quareshifujioka@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2021 10:27:44 +0000
Subject: DONATION & HUMANITARIAN Project
Dear Sir/Madam
My names are Mrs. Noeline Quareshi Fujioka, A Japanese citizen and a
Construction Contractor. Firstly, accept my apology for sending this
message to you through this medium. You and I know it is the best and
secured means of communication between the sender and receiver, also the
fastest means.
I have an important mutual cooperation initiative involving DONATION &
HUMANITARIAN Project to discuss with you that is worth the sum of US$ 3.7
million. It interests me to contact you after my research on your
Capability and Sincerity. I will enclose the proposal for your reference as
soon as I receive your response.
Regards,
Mrs. Neoline Fujioka..
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Anti-fraud resources:
