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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Sgt.David Thompson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgt.haledaydavids@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2017 02:52:29 +0100
Subject: Confidential
HELLO
My name is Sgt. David Thompson, a member of the 3rd Infantry Division of the United States Army deployed to Iraq
during the War 12-13 years ago, I am now serving with the United States Special Forces Syria. Based on my request, i will like you
to please read the following news article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
I am one of the soldiers in the news above that found all the barrels containing the money and i have a very good business
proposal for you, if you are interested you will make 3 Million Dollars in few days without spending a dime of your own money. If you are Interested please get back to me for more details.
Waiting to hear from you.
Sgt. David Thompson
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Anti-fraud resources:
