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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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Steven Koko <stevenkoko2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: stevekoko2@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2018 16:21:45 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend ,
Dear Friend ,
I have an important message for you concerning the death of my client your
relative Enger,and the funds valued at $11.5 million he left
behind in my country Lome(Togo)reply for for the full details.
I await your urgent response as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I will require
you to send to me your details information's thus;
Your Full Name ..............................
Your residence & Office address..........................
Your country of origin..................................
You're Age..............................................
Your Sex.................................................
Your occupation..........................................
Your Marital Status......................................
You're Telephone ..................................
Fax Number...........................
Your private email address..............................
Best Regards,
Barrister Steven koko.
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Anti-fraud resources:
