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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:
- "consignment " (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: Arrafa Ali <targinomachado@alba.ba.gov.br>
Reply-To: Arrafa Ali <arrafaali@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2015 02:03:47 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: URGENT PLEASE
I am Arrafa Ali of Syrian citizen, there ongoing war going on in my country, Syria. My life and my daughter life . I have a consignment which I have been registered with a delivery company, Please I seek for your help to help me receive the fund to your country and help me on Investment. The sum of Three million($3m) is involved and it was well packaged in a consignment registered with delivery company as a gift. My family and i lost our International passport and we are searching means to travel out the rebel/opposition military has rendered us stranded and our houses and properties have damaged through the bomb. Please respond immediately to enable me give you the delivery details.
Best Regards
Arrafa Ali
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Anti-fraud resources:
