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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Kim Lee" <maochan8888@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kmleem86@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2019 11:49:32 +0700
Subject: LETTER FROM LEE KIM
Dear Sir/Madam,
Please I Humbly Request For Your Business Suggestion!!
I am Finance Manager of a Firm here in Asia,i am contacting you to seek
your partnership in a pending business project I have at hand, I will
detail you more on this project if I have your positive response.In my bank
i have a business proposal.
The reason why I contacted you is for us to work together to transfer the
funds out of my bank into your bank account or any other account of your
choice for investment.I will be glad if you can partner with me and also be
a good and trusted person.I have all modalities fashioned out to give it an
excellent outcome.Once the funds have been transferred into your nominated
bank account.Both of us will share the percentage as 50% to me and 50% to
you either of the fund or investment.I am open to negotiate your
percentage.Your utmost attention and sincerity is needed.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any Breach of law. For more details
contact me with your private telephone and fax numbers for easy
communication and oral discussion.
Waiting for your good response.
Yours Sincerely,
Kim Lee
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Anti-fraud resources:
