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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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: Rev Timothy Morgan <revtimothymorgan@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2019 00:21:48 +0100
Subject: I expect your reply.
From: Rev Timothy Morgan.
Office of the Paymaster General.
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I am happy to inform you that your Long overdue payment sum of
$10,500,000.00 as a Foreign Beneficiary owed here have finally been
approved to be paid to you on or before the end of next week.
You are advised to re-confirm your information to enable us commence
with transfer of your $10,500,000.00 to your bank account.
A. Your complete name.
B. Your contact address.....Residential or Office.
C. Your telephone number.
D. Your bank account details... Make no mistake to avoid transfer hitches.
I expect your reply.
Best Regards,
Rev Timothy Morgan.
Office of the Paymaster General.
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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Anti-fraud resources:
