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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: " James Ode Watt"<charlesmcgurk009@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
Dear Beneficiary,
Your name is among the top 10 scammed victims listed by IMF/UNITED NATIONS FUND RECOVERY to be compensated with the sum of $2.5 million Unites States of American Dollars ($2,500,000 USD).you are advised to send the following details below for immediate release of your compensation ($2,500,000 USD) through Swift Transfer(T&T) or through ATM DEBIT CARD by any courier service company convenient to you.
1. Full Name:
2. Home / Office Address:
3. Direct Phone Number:
4. Country:
5 sex and Age:
6 Occupation:
Regards
Dr. James Ode Watts
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Anti-fraud resources:
