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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:
- "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. )
- "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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: konan marie <konan.marie5@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 10:51:49 +0200
Subject: Miss ANGEL
Hello
My name is Miss ANGEL Ivorian citizen and I am the only
daughter of Mr and Fire BRIENS The late JOSEPHINE AKISSI Brou ; My
father was a merchant in the field of gold and he has spent his entire
life traveling on business worldwide ; unfortunately he died
in the crash of the Boeing 727 to beirut 25 December 2003 off
cotonou.Information check the following websites:
afrik.com/article7043.html
My mother could not stand it in turn died a month later in a
polyclinic : but before his death my mother in her hospital bed has
entrusted to me that my father has to deposit a security company here
in Abidjan the sum of 5 million U.S. dollars (FIVE MILLION DOLLARS)
What I am looking is someone you trust who will help me to withdraw
and to transfer this money home to productive investments; it will be
my guardians of these funds up to a certain age and after helping me
to immigrate to your country to continue my studies.
I hope you understand me.
GOD bless you waiting to hear from you
Miss ANGEL
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Anti-fraud resources:
