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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Mathew Martins" <hsbcprivate.bankplc@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: mrmathew.martins@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 02:44:04 +0900
Subject: ATTENTION: MY DEAR
ATTENTION: MY DEAR
greetings,
I am interested in investing in your country and seek their services in a
private confidential matter regarding the account holder
later died leaving some funds unclaimed in our bank
without any beneficiary. This requires a private arrangement . Could
may be able to receive these funds legal demands then you
fill in. I am willing to part with 40% of the total funds
for their participation and assistance.
I need help from a trusted and reliable I will fill me
as the beneficiary / next of kin of the account holder later
to provide an account where this fund is submitted . I have all the
details and will fill you if you are really willing and able to
work dealing with me. Its main function would be to open a
bank account where the funds will be transferred .
The funds in question are quite large (about $ 6.5M USD) .
I will expect a straight answer from you. Yes or no. If so ,
then we will work arrangements and I'll wait for her
more confidential phone number to ask for oral explanations
before proceeding.
Close ahead .
Mr Mathew Martins
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Anti-fraud resources:
