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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Joel <patrick_joel999@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2010 03:56:23 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: BUSINESS OFFER. FROM MR PATRICK JOEL URGENT REPLY
Good Day
BUSINESS OFFER. FROM MR PATRICK JOEL URGENT REPLY
I apologies for intruding into your privacy.Please, don’t be angry with me if you see this message in SPAM of your mailbox; it will be because I sent it with low internet
connection.
I am Mr Patrick Joel, Staff of a Bank in Burkina Faso. I would like you to indicate your interest to receive the transfer of $5.7 Million.
I will like you to stand as the next of kin to my late client whose account is presently dormant, for claims.
Your Full Name...............
You’re Sex................
You’re Age....................
Your Country...................
Your Marital Status..........
Your Occupation...........
Your Personal Mobile ........
Number.............
Thanks
Mr Patrick Joel
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Anti-fraud resources:
