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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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: linda drogba <lindrogba018@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2011 08:14:56 +0700
Subject: Reply Now
Dear Friend,
Please i need your consent to receive $6.5m[Six Million,Five Hundred
Thousand United states Dollars].
The Fund is somewhere near your Country now as I move it down there waiting
for you to get back to me so I will give you the true picture of the
transaction.
Once you secure the Fund,I will compensate you with the 25% of the total
amount.And You will also assist me for possible investment plans in your
Country.
I am waiting for your urgent response so as to give you the full details of
this transaction.
Yours faithfully,
Alex Richard.
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Anti-fraud resources: