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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:
- "demurrage " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "trunk box" (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)
- "million 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)
- "await your urgent response" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: victorina quezon <quezonvictorina46@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
Sorry for this mail that you are receiving from somebody that you don’t
know .
I am Madam Victorina Quezon -a citizen of philippine,widow.
I inherited a total sum of 7.2 million dollars from my late husband. The
pressure from my decease husband's family for this money has compelled me
to leave Manila and have the money which is concealed in a metallic trunk
box is deposited with a security and finance company Cote d' Ivoire under a
secret arrangement as a family treasure.
I have recently paid all demurrage ,storage charges and the shipment fee,
all you need do is to help me contact the security company and introduce
yourself as my business partner / associate ,requesting the shipment of the
box to your address which you will provide.
And as soon as Diplomatic shipping agent approved the shipment and tell you
the arrival date of the box then.I will join you to give you 30% of the
money instantly before I go on with the proposed investment in your domain
provided is secured and investment friendly.
Please if you are interested and willing to represent me as my business
partner / associate kindly write me as soon as possible.
I await your urgent response at my private email: redacted@domain.name
Best wishes
Madam Victorina Quezon
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Anti-fraud resources:
