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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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- debtconsult1@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "A. Janet Michael" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2019 13:03:00 -0700
Subject: Re: Your Payment Update.
Re: Your Payment Update.
Hello fund Beneficiary,
The auditors are currently supervising all lottery & inherited funds world wide, they have instructed the debt settlement commission in west Africa to release all unpaid lottery winning and inherited funds belonging to you and other fund beneficiaries, the auditors have forwarded your payment authorization file to Mr. Chim of the debt settlement commission for immediate release of payment to you.
Kindly reconfirm your details to Mr. Chim via email ( debtconsult1@gmail.com ) for release of payment to you.
Do let us know once you receive your payment from Mr. Chim for the Updating of our record.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Janet Michael
Payment Coordinator.
FORWARD REPLY/INFO TO MR. CHIM'S EMAIL : debtconsult1@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources: