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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:
- 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: Steven Elloit <drstevenelliot@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2018 23:22:00 +0000
Subject: Awaiting your urgent response.
Greetings and best Regards,
I got your email and I am convinced to contact you for this important
matter.
My name is Steven Elliot I am 25 years old and am writing you from Ivory
coast.
My parents were killed by the rebels during the war here but before the
death of my Father,He deposited the sum of 7.5 Million dollars which I now
want to secure to your country and come there to live,Invest part of this
money and also start a new life there,
I need your assistance to secure this money to your country. please help me.
As you get back to me,I will give you more details.
Awaiting your urgent response.
Steven Elliot.
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Anti-fraud resources:
