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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "mr.mingmui" <mr.mingmui885@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:49:37 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam
Uncommon Opportunity!From: Mr. Ming Mui Barclay’s Bank P.L.C Registered in Ghana. Registered No: 102616 Registered Office: Krofrom Main Street, Ghana
Dear Sir/Madam
I am contacting you concerning inheritance claims fund of US $4.8M, to be facilitated in your names and address as beneficiary next of kin. Kindly get back to me with your details below in order to commence with the required processing to put up claims applications to my bank on your behalf having same last names with our late Customer who hailed From your country hereinafter referred to as 'our customer' that owns MALIBU OIL BLOC magnate in my country.
Full Names:.........................Address:............................Telephone:..........................Cell phone:.........................Age:................................Occupation:.........................
I await your quick response via this email.Â
Sincerely, Mr. Ming MuiÂ
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Anti-fraud resources:
