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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss Saima <saimamurunga@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 15:05:54 +0200
Subject: Att:
Assistance enquiry of Investment letter .
May the peace of God be with you
Please It's my pleasure to meet you with this letter , Am Miss. Saima
Arnold Murunga from West Africa ,am 19years old and my parents are late, I
got a contact details from an online directory through TRADE INVESTMENT in
your Country under a monthly trade news in our country chambers of commerce
of foreign investment and was interested if you will assist me as a foreign
partner to help me invest some of my inheritance funds from my late parents
in your country.Meanwhile. am very willing to invest in your country after
i saw this TRADE INVESTMENT of your country but I do not have a any
experience of business or investment that is why i decided to look for a
God fearing person who will assist me in this proposal
The total funds involves is sum of ($11.6 million USD)if you can assist me
in this proposal kindly communicate me back
waiting to hear from you soon for more details
God bless
regards
Miss. Saima Arnold Murunga
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Anti-fraud resources: