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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: BRIAN MARTIN ESQ <ccccaaaa003@gmail.com>
Reply-To: official_inf@zohomail.com
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2023 08:25:18 +0100
Subject: ARE YOU STILL ALIVE
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Attn: Beneficiary,
Did you really made anyone Next of Kin to claim your funds saying
you're dead? These are lies a certain man told the bank in charge of
your funds and almost succeeded in diverting your funds before getting
to my notice. If you're still alive kindly furnish me with your
following information below for reconfirmation at the bank to release
your funds to you. That is all the bank needed and after
reconfirmation exercise that bank is ready to finalize your payment by
issue you a CONFIRMABLE BANK DRAFT or ATM VISA CARD both acceptable
everywhere in the world.
INFORMATION REQUIRED:
1. Your Full Legal Names
2. Occupation and the Position Occupied
3. Resident/Office Address
4. Copy of Int’l Passport/Driver License
5. Personal Phone Number
6. Receiving Bank Detail
7. Your Contract/Inheritance Sum
Yours Faithfully
Brian Martin Esq
Int'l Lawyer (Hons.LL.D.)
United Kingdom
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Anti-fraud resources:
