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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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 next of kin scam.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- jamesbwilliams035@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "James B. Williams" <jbwilliams157@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:02:39 +0200
Subject: URGENT REPLY
Hello Dear,
I wish to notify you AGAIN that you bear the same last name with my late
customer who did not nominate a next of kin to a total sum of Five Million
US Dollars in the codicil and last testament. Name now withheld since this
is my second letter to you.
I am reaching you the second time because I have concluded my search and
you are the only person that qualifies/relates by same last name to receive
this inheritance fund.
If you receive this notice, I request you to call urgently and send an
acknowledgement email with your full names, address and contact phone
number to enable my lawyer process your inheritance.
Awaiting your response through private email: jamesbwilliams035@gmail.com
Yours Truly,
JBW.
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Anti-fraud resources:
