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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:
- "million us 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)
- "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: "Dr Fredrich Walter" <mc.cheadychang776@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fredrich.walter73@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2020 15:56:29 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT/ PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU
Attention: Sir,
I am Dr Friedrich Walter by name, I represent a formal Minister of Petroleum (name withheld) for security reasons) I am writing you as I truly need your guidance in investing in your country.
I came across your email during my investment research and so I contacted you in confidence on this vital issue. I would like to establish a partnership contact with you for project assistance in your country as soon as we conclude arrangements.
There are few basic things I would like to know about that i want you to assist me in:
(1) Your assistance to carry out feasibility study on lucrative areas/choice of investment that will benefit us.
(2) Can your company's account be able to receive and accommodate such large amount of fund on a very comfortable note?
(3) Security of the investment and continuity.
The total amount involved in this business is $600,000.000.00 (Six Hundred Million US Dollars) please note: Should this be of interest to you, do not hesitate to e-mail me back as further information's will be given to you once we established understanding in initiating the business.
I look forward hearing from you,
Dr Fredrich Walter.
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Anti-fraud resources:
