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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: John Douglas <Www.@mocha.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: John Douglas <highcourt_0fecowas@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2016 13:35:05 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Good day
Well Noted. If you are very sure that you have not receive your
Inheritance Funds in any of this form manured to you, I will assist
you and make sure you receive and access to your Inheritance Funds.
But you will have to Cooperate and work with me very well.
I will need your Full contact information to enable me start the
process of the Transaction.
1)Your Full Name...
2Your Country/City...
3)Your Current Cell Phone Number..
4)Your Home Or Office Address.......
5)Your Current Occupation.......
6)Any Of Your Identification ID......
7)Your Status....
8)Your Age........
9)Married Or Single.....
With this information i will work and how you will have your
Inheritance Release to you within 4Working Days.Call me on this Number
+229-99545325.
Thanks Hon.John Douglas
ECOWAS BENIN
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Anti-fraud resources:
