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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)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer into your account" (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 united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Sule Mohamed <mr.sulemohamed192@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:42:12 GMT
Subject: AN URGENT REPLY AND CALL NEEDED. +226 78414827
AN URGENT REPLY AND CALL NEEDED. +226 78414827
Dear Friend,
Good day to you,I know that my message will come to you as a surprise but never mind I am Mr Sule Mohammed the credit officer in BOA Bank of Africa, in my department I discover an abandon sum of $12.5Million United State Dollars that belong to one of our biggest customer in this bank that died along with his family and his suppose next of kin so many years ago I contacted you so that the total sum of $12.5Million will be transfer into your account in your country after the success transfer we will share 40% for you while 60% will be for me, if you are interested I will advice you to fill up the below information’s and get back to me.
Full Name…………………………………....
Full Address…………………………………
Telephone……………………………………
Age/ sex……………………………………...
Occupation……………………………………
You should call me as soon as you reply me mail so that I can check my mail and give you the details about this transfer +226 78414827
Thanks and have a nice day.
Mr Sule Mohammed
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Anti-fraud resources:
