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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:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Ashode Florence Edward" <arawahara@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Ashode Florence Edward" <mrsahodeflorenceedward@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2015 14:13:37 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greetings, read and get back
Greetings.
I am Mrs. Ashode Florence. A born again Christian and
a widow and I want to invest under country with my inherited fund, my late
husband left for me at the bank here. The amount is the sum of $8.5Million
United State Dollars.
I want to invest this fund out side my country, please
if you can help me to invest this fund in your country. Due to because of the
agreement my late husband hard with the bank when he deposited this fund before
his death. Please if you will be honest and capable to invest this fund under
your care, kindly be honest and get back to me urgently
Reply back to me immediately with your Full Name and
your home address along with your direct telephone.
God bless you as you response with your sincere mind
Mrs. Ashode Florence
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Anti-fraud resources:
