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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Harris William" <ayanyinkatayo@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
Attention.
Your total funds worth 3.5million Dollars in Wells Fargo Bank is ready
to transfer in your bank account without any delay, all you have to
do is to contact Charles W. Scharf is chief executive officer and
president, and a member of the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo &
Company. he will tell you how you will get your funds.
Contact him with your full information
Your Name
Your Home Address
Your Country
Your Phone Number
Your ID Card.
Charles W. Scharf email address
Email address: redacted@domain.name
Bset Rugard
Mr. Harris William
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Anti-fraud resources: