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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "consignment " (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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: FBI OFFICE <johmi2576@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Fbi476470@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2022 12:42:22 -0800
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY
HELLO DEAR FRIEND
Another Christopher
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI)
Office of the Director General
Division Federal Government Office Address: 935 Pennsylvania Ave
NW,
Washington, DC 20535 ,United States
HELLO
This is to inform you that you have been compensated by the United
States Government with a sum of 50 Million Dollars
Which has been received in my office yesterday  I am sorry to inform
you lately because I was very busy
You are to choose how you want your fund to be received
(1) Bank to Bank wire Transfer
(2) Cash delivery
(3) Cheque
This is your fund consignment
CODE LE6W361T
keep it secret for security purpose.
Also send you current home address
Thanks
And please do not forget to report any scam related issues to the FBI
I am Christopher wray
And your full information
1) YOUR FULL NAME.....
2)YOUR COUNTRY......
3)YOUR ADDRESS.....
4)YOUR FULL PHONE NUMBER.....
5)YOUR OCCUPATION........
6)YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT........
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