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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: MRS MICHELLE OBAMA <"DYE."@cup.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: MRS MICHELLE OBAMA <mrs_michelle.obama2015@yahoo.in>
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2017 02:34:16 +0900 (JST)
Subject: WITH HEART FULL OF TEARS AND JOY
WITH HEART FULL OF TEARS AND JOY
I am Mrs. Michelle Obama and I am writing to inform you about your Bank Check Draft which was supposed to deliver to you last year from the government of Benin Republic but it's obviously that you did receive it yet,I Mrs Michelle Obama is here to offer my last duty to this government by delivering your long awaiting funds to you now, You're required to send me current home address for immediate delivery of your check book, The information bellow is required to fill by you for peace and successful delivery.
Home address:...........................................
Cell phone number:......................................
City:...................................................
Occupation..............................................
Next of kin.............................................
E-mail Address..........................................
Thank you so much for your patient towards this delivery, Anxiously waiting for your responds.
Sincerely yours
Mrs Michelle Obama
Former US First Lady
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Anti-fraud resources: