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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "hundred thousand american 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss Sarah Anthony Edward <utd10103utd@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2017 08:10:22 +0000
Subject: Greetings
With Respect from Miss Sarah Edward Anthony.
My Name is Miss Sarah Edward Anthony, Am from Bouake the northern part Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa. My late parents Edward Anthony Attah was assassinated in Bouake Cote d'Ivoire by the present Rebel Government now. My late father was a politician and great business man because he was the great sponsored of the past elected President.
Before the assassination of my late parents, My late father packaged the Sum of US$17.7M (Seventeen Million Seven Hundred Thousand American Dollars in a Truck Box (Consignment). He deposited the Consignment in the Security Company in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire, He instructed the Management of the Security Company to move the Consignment to Lome Togo where it will be easy for him to move the Fund to France for further investment.
The Consignment was registered on my name as the next of kin. All the Certificates of the Consignment beard my name.
Please I am seeking for your assistance to stand in the Security Company as my foreign partner to enable the Security Company deliver the Consignment your home address in your country and I will join you there.
The Fund will be invested under your control and I will continue my education.
I will give you more details as I hear from you.
Sincerely yours,
Miss Sarah Edward.
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Anti-fraud resources:
