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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Elizabeth Shortino <abuhrashidat77@gmail.com>
Reply-To: imf.officefile@aol.com
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:53:58 +0100
Subject: Sir/Madam
I'll be waiting to hear from you as soon as possible
Have you relinquished the right to your funds to Mrs Margaret as your
next of kin? She contacted me claiming you are very sick and also down
with Covid-19, so do get back to me if you're still alive.
I'll be waiting to hear from you as soon as possible
Am Mrs Elizabeth Shortino
This is about your funds which have remained unclaimed for years not
but the previous mentioned name contacted me claiming to be your next
of kin but am glad you replied on time.
So i wish to know if you are still interested in receiving your funds
or should it be cancelled indefinitely.
:The funds were awarded to you through an online program done by the
United nation in cooperation with the United States and EU as a medium
to eradicate poverty worldwide and you were among the lucky
beneficiaries of this program.
The total sum which you're entitled to received is the sum of $10.5
million dollars to choose which
way you want to receive namely,
Bank To Bank Transfer ($130)
ATM Master Delivery ($199)
Consignment Box Delivery ($100)
Your full details is needed
Your full name....................
Your contact address...................
Your direct phone number...............
Your valid identification................
Your age and sex...................
Your occupation.....................
Your bank account details.................
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Elizabeth Shortino
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Anti-fraud resources:
