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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "lome togo" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- abigailneil1414@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: abigail neil <abigailneil1414@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 06:14:03 +0000
Subject: FROM ABIGAIL/YOUR ASISTANCE.
My Dear,
My name is Abigail, Am From Lome Togo In west African State and I am 20yrs.I have an inheritance fund of 5million Us Dollars from my Late father Mr. Johnson Neil, I need your assistance to get this funds and invested it in your country due to the political situation here in Togo.I will give 20% for your assistance.Please if you are available to be my partner and guardian, get back to me immediately for more details and proofs. write me and if for any reason you can not be able to assist me on this transaction please contact me immediately for me to look another person.
If you are willing to assist me, please forward this information as follows to (abigailneil1414@yahoo.com) for more details.1. Complete Name.........................2. Complete address...................3. Telephone number.....................4. Fax number..............................5. Your age.................................6.A Copy Of Your Id......................7.Ocupation...............................So that i will submit it to the bank,
ThanKs and Sincerely.Abigail..
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Anti-fraud resources: