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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:
- "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)
- "benjaminmylers@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "JP Morgan Chase Bank,NY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benjaminmylers@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2020 13:47:07 -0800
Subject: Your Fund Transfer Notification.
After several attempts to reach you on phone, I deemed it necessary and urgent to contact you via your e-mail address and to notify you finally about your outstanding compensation payment $1,700,000.00 USD deposited in our bank.
Please contact Mr. Ben Myler the Manager of Chase bank Brooklyn New York branch with your name, resident address and your direct telephone number for the transfer of your payment to you accordingly
Name: Mr. Ben Myler
Personal email: benjaminmylers@outlook.com
You are therefore advised to contact Mr. Ben Myler with your details and hasten him to facilitate the release of your payment to you immediately.
Thank you for your attention.
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Anti-fraud resources:
