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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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Olis Sulo <sulycol@att.net>
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 12:19:07 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear Friend
Dear Friend
this is to let you know that the Board Government of theBanks Union in Benin Republic has givena mandate to every uncliam fund which was formaly confiscated by the Governmentis now place on a fund treaturing account waiting for the owner of this fund tocome and cliam there unclaim fund so if your fund happen to be among pleasewrite back to the right officer incharge you will be told on what to do in other to get the High Court signingout your fund as you know is a long time now so you have to contact Mr. UrmusaTenssou. Email contact urmusatenssou@umail.net
Thanks Dr.Olis Sulo
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Anti-fraud resources:
