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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 beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "US Homeland Security" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dhsdevice@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2022 12:23:56 -0700
Subject: Important!
Dear beneficiary,
I write concerning a Fund totaling US$7.5 Million in your name. Some years ago, it was Seized by the Interpol at the airport because a clear account wasn't given as to the purpose of the Fund. The Interpol intercepted the fund because such funds without a clear background/history could be used to finance illegalities. We have run a criminal background check on you and you are clear and have not been part of any criminal act, by support or financing.
You can still receive your total amount. Kindly get back to us so we can give you further details on how to receive your fund.
We expect your urgent response.
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
Department of Homeland Security,
Washington DC
Phone: +1 (202) 524-9139
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https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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Anti-fraud resources:
