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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Anthony William <velleffrod.solicitors@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <anthony.velleffrod.solicitors@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2017 13:42:34 +0100
Subject: I NEED YOU TO RESPOND
From Anthony William
Velleffrod Solicitors
I know we do not know each other but I write in good faith and trust that you will take a moment to consider the contents of this letter.
My name is Anthony William, from Velleffrod Solicitors and we are the Trustees and Executors of the Testament of my late client who died without a will. I wish to notify you that your name were listed as the beneficiary of bequest in sum of 15,500,000.00 GBP in the codicil and last testament of my deceased client.
All I need is your acceptance so that we can obtain the Letter of Administration from the Probate Court as required for you to claim the funds from the holding bank. I look forward to receive your acceptance mail for more details.
Thank you,
Anthony William
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Anti-fraud resources:
