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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:
- "hundred thousand 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: James Edward <james_edward201146@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2015 10:53:26 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: VERY URGENT YOUR ONLINE BANK PAYMENT//
Atten: Beneficiary
How are you today? Hope fine.
This is to notify you
that we have program to pay you through online banking services with unity financial Bank Here in Nigeria. We shall open a new online account for you here
which will cost you $35 only.
Please do remember that your fund Five
Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($5.5 million) has over due to pay out with your interest so please if this new development is ok by you
then get back to us immediately for proceedings..
As we are going to effect
your online banking service through unity financial bank
plc.
immediately.
Thanks
James. Edward.
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Anti-fraud resources: