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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: janeabrahamm@yahoo.com <marymanto@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:03:24 -0500
Subject: Hi Love
Hello my dear can I know your real names? I think you
are very lucky to meet me here . I need you to be my
good friend and have a long term relationship with
you.I just believed that you are a good person and that
you will benefit very well from me in my inheritance
money of $9,500,000.00 usd only .You have to note that
true love brings happiness and no sorrow .Just send me your names and your mobile number .I am called Jane Abraham and am 21 years old from Senegal .
Yours lovely new friend
Jane Abraham.
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Anti-fraud resources:
