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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:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Owolabi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <un_undercover@revenue.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:24:07 -0800
Subject: Sir/Madam.
Mrs. Comfort Adebisi Owolab
Deputy Director-Policy Analysis,
Monitoring and Inspectorate
United Nations building
Lagos Nigeria
Sir/Madam.
I am the above person and information reaching us from our under cover stated that you have abandoned your over due fund in Africa, "explain".
In my capacity as the Deputy Director-Policy Analysis, Monitoring and Inspectorate, I will like to know the problems you are facing in receiving your fund to know the area to assist you in receiving your over due payment as our duty is to protect human right and laws of the land.
Treat as a matter of urgency and reply with your details of payment because UN in collaboration with ECOWAS, EU and AMERICA has appointed a reputable financial institution for your payment.
Your urgent reply is highly to your advantage.
Mrs. Comfort Adebisi Owolab
Deputy Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
