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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Andrew McHattie <andrewmchattie6@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2022 19:24:42 +0100
Subject: LETTER
My name is Andrew McHattie, A Management Accountant and an External Auditor
for financial institutes. I currently work with a team of external auditors
who were retained after the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic to audit
financial activities.
In the course of a routine audit of our books last quarter, I discovered
some investment accounts that have been dormant for one year now. Most of
the accounts belong to a single beneficiary who died during the covid-19
pandemic. (Four million five hundred thousand united states dollars)in the
intent of the deceased depositor who died intestate and as such, no
next-of-kin has come forward all these Months to lay claim to the
investment.( Names now withheld for security reasons ) Since this is our
second letter to you.
I contacted you because you bear the same last name with the deceased
expatriate investor/depositor who died as a result if covid-19 and
therefore I can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance since
there is no written will from our late investor. My service's aim is to
provide you with a complete service as I'm prepared to provide you with all
the documents required by the holding Bank to enable them to release these
inheritance funds to you . we can secure the funds in this bank account for
ourselves instead of allowing it to be transmitted as “unclaimed fundsâ€
into the Treasury of the Government.
All the papers required will be processed in your acceptance of this deal
as we are prepared to offer you 40%,50% for me, while 10% should be given
to any orphanage Home/Hospitals/clinics to support the needy worldwide.
I request that you kindly respond to me with acceptance:
Your prompt response is highly imperative.
Andrew McHattie
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