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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:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "% will be for you" (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)
- "with absolute secrecy" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Paul Johnson" <drdedenwakili2014@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrpauljohnson20152016@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2016 04:29:06 -0700
Subject: TRANSFER ADVICE/CONFIDENTIAL URGENTLY.
Dear Friend (Urgent)
Good day to you and your family, I apologize if the content here under
is contrary to your moral ethics but please treat with absolute
secrecy and personal. I am Sir. Peter Martins an Audit Account
Manager. My aim of contact for a discovered total sum of $20.5 million
dollars deposited by a late client Mr.Harry ADAMS whom died together
his wife and their two kids since 7th September 2002. For years now I
have done a lot of researches to locate his relations to claim his
fund value all to no avail. I contacted you for the suport/assistant
transfer of this deposited fund $20.5 million dollars then transfer it
to your country within 24 hours. Upon your urgent full readiness and
willingness which to enable me provide all the necessary information,
documents that you will use for the back up on the transfer. Note: 40%
will be for you due to your interested.
Your immediate positive reply as we proceed as soon as possible.
Yours Sincerely,
Sir. Peter Martins
Audit Account Manager.
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