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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "innocent_kentish@yahoo.com" <calwellmendola33@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2015 10:06:02 -0700
Subject: God Bless You
Hello Dear.
Innocent Kentish is my name a Lawyer from Liberia but staying in Accra
Ghana as a refugee because of the Civil war that happened in my country
some years ago. During the war, my parents who were Government officials
were killed by the rebels.
Happily, before my father death, he had kept some money valued $9.5M (Nine
Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)only in a security
company here in Accra Ghana, due to Ghana is one of the peaceful country in
west Africa.
All that I need now is a God fearing person who will assist me to invest
the money in any profitable venture only in your country.Honesty is the
watch word,
please feel free and contact me the money so far is on a security company
which can be withdrawn in any international bank all over the world.
Regards
Innocent Kentish
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Anti-fraud resources:
