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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: MURRAY DAVID <phonstanl@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
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GREETINGS FUNDS OWNER
My name is Murray David
A special delivery officer from the Department of International
Monetary Fund (IMF) Washington DC, United States.
Your undue Funds of $4,900,000.00 USD from the IMF Government has been
released under the office of IMF Director of finance department
BERNARD LAUWERS and you are hereby to confirm your home address to me
immediately for the delivery of your Funds today and then i will
deliver your Funds with the instructions required from the IMF
Authorities within 24 working hours only.
You are required to contact immediately with your vital information to
deliver or transfer your funds with immediately.
Receiver Name
Address
Occupation
Age/Sex
Country
I am looking forward to read your messages so that the delivery will
be done immediately today.
Yours in Service
Murray David
IMF Delivery Officer
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Anti-fraud resources:
