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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:
- "dear friend" (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)
- "% will be for you" (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: Pastor Paul Johnson <gyongyszemovoda@gezenguzovi1.t-online.hu>
Reply-To: pstpauljohnsonfamilies@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2017 05:55:52 +0200
Subject: Do kindly get back to me urgently
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Dear Friend (urgently)
I am Pastor Paul Johnson head account manager to my late uncle, My aim
of contacting you for your support and capable assistant transferring
of his fund $10.5 million dollars in your favor there in country
(overseas). Today 6th June 2017 the paying bank payment dept 100%
ready for the transfer of the fund into your destination bank account
within 24 hours in your favor. Do kindly get back to me urgently if
you are interested and due to your interested and support on the
transfer, from the total sum you will entitle for 40% will be for you.
Your immediate response as no time to waste.
Yours Sincerely,
Pastor Paul Johnson,
Head General Manager.
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Anti-fraud resources:
