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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: info@www.net
Reply-To: johnababa@kimo.com
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:51:33 -1100
Subject: LOVE AND PASSION
DEAR BELOVED
I am JOHN STEVE ABABA I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, I have few weeks to live, according to medical experts. I want you to help me collect a cash deposit that I have with a security company in abroad. and dispatched it to charity organizations.
send me your information to enable me write a formal letter of introduction to the holding firm so that you can contact the holding firm and discuss with them how the funds can be released to you. God bless you greatly as
you do.
Regards,
JOHN STEVE ABABA.
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Anti-fraud resources: