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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)
- "i will like you to " (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)
- "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: frank ikp <mike_morgan2006@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:16:53 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Please Read This Message.
My Dear Friend.
My Name is Mr.Mike Morgan.
I have ($24.000.000.00) Twenty Four Million United States Dollars I
want to Transfer to your Bank Account,This money was Deposited in the
Bank by my late Father.
Please I will like you to visit this Country first so that both of us
will discuss orally before we proceed to the Bank together for the
Transfer of this money to your Bank Account.
This is my direct Telephone Number +22501571643 call me so that we can discuss ok.
I will tell you more about me and my Transaction once you call me ok.
God will bless you.
Best Regards
Mr.Mike Morgan.
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Anti-fraud resources:
