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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:
- "million united state 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: lekabe zuma <lekabe.zuma2@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2017 02:05:26 -0700
Subject: GOOD DAY..
I am Lekabe Zuma. a financial expert from South Africa, I contacted you for
the sum of US$4,000,000.00 Four Million United State Dollars, in your name
that suppose to be pay to you as an investment fund from South Africa in
the year 2015/2016.
Hope you have a suspended fund transaction in South Africa in 2015/2016,I
am in good position to assist you in order to receive the fund from South
Africa to your country without any problem.
I need your urgent mail for more details on the best and quick way to have
the fund in your custody.
Your urgent mail is highly needed.
Regards
Lekabe Zuma.
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Anti-fraud resources:
