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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:
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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: Aisha Al-Qaddafi <aisgaddfy@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2023 16:02:44 -0800
Subject: Hello My Beloved One
Hello My Beloved One I am Aisha Muammar Gaddafi, the only daughter of the
embattled president of Libya, Hon. Muammar Gaddafi. I know my mail might
come to you as a surprise because you don’t know me, but due to of my
situation here in Refugee camp i decided to contact you for help. I have
passed throug pains and sorrowful moments since the death of my father. At
the same time, my family is the target of Western nations led by Nato who
want to destroy my father at all costs. Our investments and bank accounts
in several countries are their targets to freeze.PLEASE I have a business
Proposal for you worth $27.5Million dollars
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Anti-fraud resources:
