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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:
- "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: Nien-Sheng Lin <nienshenglin79@gmail.com>
Reply-To: nien.s47@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2017 03:58:03 -0700
Subject: RE: YOUR EARLY REPLY
Dear, I will be very glad to read from you today as you receive this
message.
I have prostate cancer disease and the doctor says that I have just little
days to live in this world before I die. I am half US and Half Asia
Citizen. Now that I am about to die because of this prostate cancer
disease, I want to hand over my One Million Dollars Bond which I invested
with Anglo Gold Mining and Exportation Company in Ghana. It is my last wish
to help unknown person with my wealth but you must assure me that you will
use at least 30% of my wealth to help the Syrian refugees in turkey Turkish
Disaster Management Agency (AFAD) it is said that the Syrian refugees in
southern Turkey has risen to 101, 834. You must promise me that you will
disburse 30% to help them and 30% of my wealth to help the orphanages home,
widows and poor people in your country and you take the remaining 40% of
the fund for yourself so if you promise to follow all my instructions write
down your telephone number and address in your reply to this mail to enable
me give you more information.
Regard,
Nien-Sheng Lin.
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Anti-fraud resources:
