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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:
- "million 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)
- "abidjan" (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: Chukwuma Alaba <chukson_a@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: nwa.chukson@yahoo.cn
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:05:48 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Praise the Lord,
Praise the Lord,
I am Pastor Chukson Alaba in Abidjan Cote D, Ivoire of Pentecostal Church of Christ.
Here in Abidjan. I have raised the sum of 10 million Dollars; I want one that will stand for me as my next of beneficiary to the money I want to invest the money to build a house of God in American So if you will stand as my beneficiary then forward to me all your details which the bank will use to get you a owner ship of documentation for the money to move into your account for transfer hurry I need to hurry up in transfer.
I am sure that you have come across internet scammers in the internet but be full assured by his grace in this case you are blessed after this transfer, I really needs you to stand for me as my banks me to get beneficiary , that means one that will stand for so they get all the necessary documentation this transaction needs to be done before the transfer will take place it only needs change of owner ship document please help me the lord will bless you I will give you only 40 percent after the transfer and the rest will be used for the house of God Investment in your country.
As you do this may the Good God that I praise wards you in abundantly, as you are welcome in the lord.
Pastor Chukson Alaba
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Anti-fraud resources:
