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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 us 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Sophia Matin <sophiamatin2011@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2014 18:24:02 +0800
Subject: Help invest
Good day Dear,
My name is Sophia Martin 21 years.
I am contacting you to be my present guardian and help me invest the money Three million five hundred dollars(3.5 million us Dollars)left for me by my late father in a good business in your country.
I will also like to continue my education so you will also register me in
a good school in your country so that i can continue my education too.
I want to leave here as soon as possible so that i can start up a new life.
Please help me as i will reward/compensate you for your efforts/assistance.
Please reply me for more details.
I will be waiting to read from you soon.
Miss Sophia
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Anti-fraud resources:
