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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:
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Juliet Paul <jessicamunez01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: juliet.pau46@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 08:48:44 +0000
Subject: I am eagerly waiting to receive your response!
Investment proposal from Juliet Paul
I am Miss. Juliet Paul from Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). I am a
22 year old orphan girl due to having no parents that I have ($ 6.8
million dollars). What I inherited from my late father, he deposited
the fund in a fixed / suspense account at one of the best banks here
in Abidjan. My father used my name as his only daughter and only child
for the Fund's immediate family.
Second, if you agree to work with me on this purpose, please indicate
your interest by responding to me so that I can provide you with the
necessary information and details on how to proceed. I am offering you
20% of the money for you for your help to me.
May God bless you for your immediate attention. My best and best
regards to you and your whole family when you contact me for further
details
I need your help if you are sure to want to help me invest the fund in
your county. Contact me now for more information.
Many Thanks
Juliet Paul
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Anti-fraud resources:
