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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.
- 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" <dhsdhs@dhs.gov>
Reply-To: dhsdevice@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:16:46 -0700
Subject: Important
Attn: beneficiary,
I write to officially inform you that a total sum of US$15.5 Million (Fifteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollar) is in your name. Some years back, it was Held by the authorities at the airport for Investigation because a clear account wasn't given as to the purpose of the Fund. The airport authorities intercepted the fund because such funds without a clear record could be used for illegal financial activities. We have run a private background check on you and you are clear and have not been part of any criminal/illegal activity, either by support or financing.
You have all the lawful right to claim the fund.
Kindly get back to us so we can give you further details on how to receive your fund.
Thanks for your cooperation as I expect your urgent response.
Yours Faithfully,
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
Department of Homeland Security
Washington DC.
Phone: +1 (202) 770 1852
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Anti-fraud resources:
