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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "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: "STATE DEPARTMENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <himeymicha@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2023 10:06:30 -0500
Subject: STATE INHERITANCE COMMITTEE
ATTENTION DEAR BENEFICIARY CONGRATULATION IN ADVANCE!!!
Dear benefactor in receipt of your kind email, Which i received on
our official webspace with your information has been confirmed with you
being the rightful benefactor of this funds. The ATM MASTERCARD is
credited with the sum of 5.2 million USD (five Million two Hundred
Thousand United State Dollars), it is already loaded in the Master Card
which you can use to access your fund on any ATM Stand/ location
worldwide and remember that the maximum withdrawal daily limit is Ten
Thousand United States Dollars(US$50,000.00) .We have concluded delivery
arrangement with the below courier services companies and their
delivery time is stated below.
UPS= 48hrs/$50
FedEx= 24hrs/$100
DHL= 3days/$150
Post Office = 4days/$250
P.s : I would be waiting for your confirmation to this new effect for
the completion of your ATM card delivery .
Best Regards
Micha.
DEAR BENEFICIARY CONGRATULATION IN ADVANCE ONCE AGAIN !
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Anti-fraud resources:
