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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 beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Curtis Borman <mrgeorgecole0@gmail.com>
Reply-To: curtisaborman@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2018 21:48:02 -0800
Subject: $15.8 Million
Dear beneficiary,
I wish to inform you that your inherited funds $15.8 Million is
approved. Though I have resolve it in my mind that if God keep us
alive this year 2018, that I am going to make a this very good
arrangement for your funds to be paid to you. Right now our firm has
changed the subject of the matter and all you has to do is reconfirm
your details and direct telephone number. Mr David Jones, the
diplomatic agent will be traveling to Dublin and from there visit
Dubai then from Dubai to your country. I am doing this because of your
past effort and statements. Therefore I advise you to reconfirm your
details as below. Full Name:......Home Address:...Country:.....City
:......Cell phone:.....
God bless you
Mr Curtis Borman
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Anti-fraud resources:
