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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 united states 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: MRS ZHANG XIAO <bannister3@charter.net>
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2015 06:23:30 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: RESPOND FOR MORE DETAILS
Please read,
Seeing this mail may come as a surprise.But I actually got your email
from my online internet search for a reputable individual.
Hence using this medium to hint you of a very beneficial brief/Deal in
the amount of Sixty million United states DOLLARS.
I would need to know your names, age, address, phone contact and
occupation. You will receive more details from me as soon i receive your
response.
I assure you it is a 100% risk free transaction. Expecting to hear from
you.
Regards,
Mrs Zhang Xiao
Angang Steel Company Limited China
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Anti-fraud resources:
