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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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: "'Haris Hakim' via 419trap" <419trap@biographiks.com>
Reply-To: haishki011@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2020 14:19:23 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Dear Friend
Dear Friend,
I am Mr. Haris Hakim, I work with the department of Audit and accounting manager here in the Bank of Africa, There is this fund that was keep in my custody years ago and I need your assistance for the transferring of this fund to your bank account for both of us benefit for life time investment and the amount is (US$18 Million Dollars).
I have every inquiry details to make the bank believe you and release the fund to your bank account in within 7 banking working days with your full co-operation with me after success Note 45% for you while 55% for me after success of the transfer of the funds to your bank account.
Below information is what I need from you so we can be reaching each other,
1) Full name ...
2) Private telephone number...
3) Ages...
4) Nationalities...
5) Occupations ...
Thanks.
Mr.Haris Hakim.
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Anti-fraud resources:
