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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 us 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: LEWIS HAMILTOM <edemkemeh5@gmail.com>
Reply-To: lh677302@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2021 22:49:11 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY
SunTrust Bank Corporate Office Headquarters.
100 N. San Francisco-Oakland, New York 28255 USA.
Our Ref: BOA/IRU/SFE/15.5/WD/011
Working Hours: Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time(EDT)
Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time(EDT)
Hello, How are you doing today?
A compensations funds worth $1.3 million us dollars that were said to
belong to you was transferred to our bank corporate headquarters at
Charlotte, North Jerome 28255 last month 21st by the management of the
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUNDS (I.M.F) New York branch under the
authority of MR. Eliot Gold of Florida. I would have informed you of
this since last month but I was too busy attending to our numerous
customers. For these funds to be transferred to your private account
you will have to re-confirm us with your full information including
your bank details where the interest of this fund will be transferred
to you.
THANKS as we wait to hear from you soon.
God bless you.
Lewis Hamilton.
SunTrust Bank.
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Anti-fraud resources:
