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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:
- "million us 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)
- ",000,000" (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: "MRS TERRY SULLIN" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 07:33:57 +0800
Subject: ATTENTION
CONTACT THE Agent IMMEDIATELY FOR THE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND.
Attention: Sir/ Madam.
In reference to the result of the Microsoft World Email Providers annual draw, released on the 30th july 2012 by the Microsoft's founder and Chairman Bill Gates ,We write to inform you that your email address has been selected as one of the 13 winners of The 2012 MWEMP draw world wide. Your email address has won you a total sum of three million US dollars( $3,000,000.00). The Microsoft World Email Providers Agent in England(Gordon Smith) shall guide you on how this fund shall be deposited to any bank of your choice as soon as possible . Please contact the Agent on this number(00448719156162) for further details. Send the reqiured information below to terrysillin@rediff.com for immediate transfer of fund to your bank account. .
1) YOUR FULL NAME ..................
(2) YOUR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS...........
(3) YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS..................
(4) YOUR PHONE AND FAX NUMBER................
(5) YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS..................
(6) YOUR OCCUPATION........................
(7) YOUR OFFICIAL AGE......................
(8) YOUR PHOTOGRAPH ................
(9) YOUR COUNTRY..............................
Thank you and congratulations
Mrs Terry Sullin
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Anti-fraud resources:
