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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: marilyn carlsen <marilyncarlsen008@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2023 21:29:21 +0200
Subject: Dear Friend
Dear Friend
It is my pleasure to communicate with you, I know that this message
will be a surprise to you my name is Mrs.Marilyn John Carlsen, I am
diagnosed with ovarian cancer which my doctor have confirmed that I
have only some weeks to live so I have decided to handover the sum
of($11,000.000 Million United States Dollars) through I decided
handover the money in my account to you for help of the orphanage
homes and the needy ones.
Please kindly reply me here as soon as possible to enable me give
you more information but before handing over my bank to you please
assure me that you will only take 40% of the money and share the rest
of 60% to the poor orphanage home and the needy once, thank you am
waiting to hear from you
Mrs Marilyn John Carlsen.
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Anti-fraud resources:
