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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (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.
- 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.
- carolinadesmond433@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Smith Anderson <mrsmithanderson142@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2022 14:31:02 +0100
Subject: Greetings Dear friend
Greetings Dear friend
How are you doing? It has been a long time since our last
communication due to the widespread CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) which led
to global economic lock down of businesses in many last two years,
it's a great privilege to contact you again; I hope you are fine?
However, am pleased to inform you of my successful multi-million
investment project with my new partner here in Venezuela, it may
interest you to know that we have mapped out relief fund to support
and compensate you with the sum of $680,000usd from our relief fund
You are hereby required to contact my secretary Mrs Carolina Desmond
private Email; carolinadesmond433@gmail.com ;in Togo to assist you
with the transfer of your $680,000usd into your own bank account
without any delay.
Have a nice day and stay safe
Smith Anderson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
