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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 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)
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: " General Tukur Yusuf Burata" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <general.tukuryusufburatai@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2020 17:06:37 -0700
Subject: Your Urgent assistance !
Hello
Your Urgent assistance
I am Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria Army command, please i need your assistance to move out this money.In the process of our war against Boko Haram terror militia I recovered raw stacked $32 Million dollars from the invaded Boko Baram camp in Borno State. I am contacting you for confidential assistance. I need you to assist me receive this money for safe keep. I have set aside 40% commission for your help, its safe. please don't betray this trust repose in you. get back to me with your details immediately for more instruction. I await your speedy reply.
Salute
Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai
Chief of Army Staff general.tukuryusufburatai@nl-ng.ezyro.com
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Anti-fraud resources: