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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 state 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: mary <princessmary164@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 12:40:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT REPLY PLEASE
Dear friend,
How are you doing with every one with you? hope all is fine and if so thanks be to God Almighty. My name is Princess Mary, Am 24yrs age single, I come across your contact as i was searching for a good friend, A friend who truly understand his or her friend and share their feelings together. Please kindly accept my urgent proposal; I believe that
Distance can never be a barrier but a bridge that connect us far distance to be close to each other.
I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of $11m.400.Eleven Million Four Hundred Thousand United State Dollars from my late father account to your account to enable me come over to your country for my investment project in your country.
I will give you more details about me and about this transfer
Immediately i read your urgent reply,
Your Name...............
Your Country.............
Your House address.......
Your Private Phone numbers........
Your Age...........
Your Occupation........
Your Sex...........
I will wait to hear an urgent reply from you
Thanks and remain bless
Princess Mary.
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Anti-fraud resources:
