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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "your urgent reply" (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: elue benjamine <benelue009@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:51:02 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION: URGENT
Dr. Benjamin Elue.Complement of the day to you, I do hope that you are in
good health?!
My name is Dr. Benjamin Elue and I am from west Africa.
I have worked as a senior civil servant here in my country Nigeria till my
retirement last month.
I wish to invest in Forex market but I do not have any knowledge or the
required skills needed to embark on this new investment.And am being very
careful about my involvement in such things as I do not want to draw any
attention to myself due to my statures.
I have some reasonable amount of money with a security company which I want
to invest in the Forex market.
But firstly I will like to get to know you and your experience in Forex so
far.
I am looking forward to your urgent reply.
Best regards
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Anti-fraud resources:
