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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- efinhq001@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: European Financial Inclusion Network <efinhq01@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2022 16:00:11 -0800
Subject: WORLD BANK PAYMENT APPROVAL ORDER
*8 Storey's Gate, London SW1P 3AT*
Dear Sir
Your abandoned Inheritance funds worth $10.5 Million has been approved by
the World bank / United Nation to pay you through Sabadell Bank in Madrid.
Therefore, you are required to contact me immediately to enable me to link
you directly to the customer service of the bank for payment . You will be
paid through Online Banking services , Contact me for more details to my
private email: *efinhq001@gmail.com <efinhq001@gmail.com>*
Waiting for your urgent response
Thank you.
Gordon Williams
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Anti-fraud resources: