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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Adam Lewis" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2016 18:47:11 -0500
Subject: Awaiting your soonest reply.
Hello My Good Friend,
My apology am a private Attorney to former president Goodluck Jonathan of
Nigeria.
It is because I know you are reliable and can be trusted. please I hope
that you will not expose me or betray this trust.
I want to invest $37M Under your care in your country?
If you are capable to assist me invest and control this fund if I hand
it over to you reply swiftly and 30% of the fund will be your own for
your assistance.
Best regards,
Barrister Adam Lewis.
(Attorney at Law)
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Anti-fraud resources:
