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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:
- "million american 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)
- "remain blessed" (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: Linda Kona <lindakona21@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 12 May 2014 22:42:25 +0300
Subject: i need your help
Hello friend,
It give me a great pleasures to write you. I am Linda Kona . A complete
citizen of South Sudan, 24 years old living in the South Sudan. My late
father was the former chairman of Juba in South Sudan before he died.
I inherited a total sum of $2.5 Million American dollars from my late
father, the money was deposited with a bank in Turkey, and i am the next of
king to this money.
My main purpose of sending you this mail is because of the way I found you
and perhaps trustworthy to give you this priority of transferring the
money to any bank account that you think is very secure and save in your
country to onward the purpose of future investment and your percentage of
which we shall chat on soon. I give thanks immensely for your co-operation
as I look forward to hear from you for quick conclusion of this business.
The percentage will be your reward for all your moral and financial
assistance during the period of moving the money to your country. Please if
you can assist me I will be very grateful. And repay you many times over
declaring your willingness to assist me in this venture.
Waiting for a very quick response from you so that i can send you my photo
to you to see me in my next reply as soon as i hear from you again.
Have a nice time and remain blessed.
Best Regards,
Linda Kona.
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Anti-fraud resources:
