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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Father. Robert Steven" <cajamercaditodgo@ferrox.com.mx>
Reply-To: swansonbenjamin943@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2023 12:29:01 -0500
Subject: Your Ref: RCC-023 ITA-023
Attention: Please !!!
Your Ref: RCC-023ITA-023
Please Stop spending your hard-earned money on fake people with
unstoppable demands/requests for money.
Your {$5 Million Dollars} Consignment Funds Has been handed over to our
department United Nation Office Of Internal Oversight Service to make
sure all overstayed and unclaimed consignment funds cum Compensation
funds are credited to the owner's local Bank account or to their
designated Bank account of their choice within the next 48hours. We will
advise you to stop any communication with any corrupt officials and top
banks you have been in contact with for the sake of your funds. Your
funds are 100% in our custody and ready to be credited into your bank
account. Kindly contact me now to know what is required to move your
funds into your personal bank account Immediately.
Please note that all it will cost you is the Notarization fee. So take
note thanks.
Contact me directly at my
Call/Text +1(407) 519-0974)
Best Regards,
Mr. Ben Swanson.
Assistant Secretary-General for Office of Internal Oversight Services
Responsible for Internal Audits, Investigations, and Program Evaluation.
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Anti-fraud resources:
