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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Abdul Yusuf" <abdulyusuf231@live.com>
Reply-To: <abdulyusuf11221@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2013 23:11:05 +0000
Subject: Re: Very Important
What is bothering me now is the box of fund 10.8million dollars recovered from one of the home of the insurgent leader Abu Kali, when the marine went on raid few weeks ago, and i really need a trusted partner like you to help in moving this fund out of Kabul so that we can both invest it in a profitable business down there in your country and hopefully if we succeed in moving this fund out of Kabul i will be retiring from the marine and relocate to the arctic region for a peaceful and fun filled life till death, all my life i have been living and doing things base on trust but i will always tell you do not betray my trust in you because this is were my life lies at the moment.
Please i really need you to be by me in moving this fund out of Kabul, do not let it scare you nor be afraid because it have to do with my life and even your elevation and way to greatness.
Sincerely,
Dr. Abdul Yusuf.
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Anti-fraud resources:
