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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:
- "00,000.00" (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: GET YOUR FUND <joymustafa9@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
--
Greetings My Friend,
I am Mr. Han, I work with a bank as head of the audit department.
During our last year fiscal bank general account auditing, I
discovered an overdue funds sum of US$18,300,000.00 (Millions) US
Dollars belonging to my late bank customer who died over 10 years ago
leaving no body to inherit his funds.
I am contacting you so that we may have an agreement/proper
arrangement. note 50% of the sum will be for you while the other 50%
will be my share as well. All arrangements will be made under a
transparent and legitimate framework. Full details will be disclosed
to you on your expression of interest
I will be waiting for your quick response in order to update you with
full detail and be informed that this deal will be executed legally.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Han
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Anti-fraud resources:
