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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- infoericmensah123@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: InfoEricMensah123@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2012 23:57:39 +0000
Subject: FOR GOOD
Dear Sir/Madam,
At the moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this
business until your positive response is received. Please take a
moment of your time to read this and send your response.
I assure you that this deal is worth taking and highly profitable. I
am the General Auditor of the International Commercial Bank Plc of
Ghana and I am contacting you for a business transaction involving
US$5.8
Million Dollars.
This account has been in suspense for the past few years. With your
sincere assistance and co-operation i am determined to work this deal
with you if you are very honest. Send all corresponding through this
mail (you
can access this funds through online banking)
Thank you for your time and attention.
Best Regard,
Eric Mensah
+233241783776
Email InfoEricMensah123@gmail.com.
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Anti-fraud resources: