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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge sum of money" (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: IDRIS ALI <idrisali244@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2020 06:34:03 -0400
Subject: Dear Friend
Dear Friend
I am writing to you in tears due to the ongoing civil war in our
country Syria.I lost my father but before his death he was dealing
with Gold and oil business before the terrors attack him in Damascus,
he made a huge sum of money $20.3 Million and because of the crisis in
Syria now, I will not be able to retrieve and return the money to
Syria. I wish to live good life out of Syria.
I want to put you as my late father's business associate, I need you
to receive the money and we both can agree on good business that you
can invest it until I am able to come over to meet and be with you for
a good business investment. I will send to you all the information
relating to the documents of deposit and how we can partner
together.Based on your status, I rely so much on you for this noble
assistance.Let me know if you can do this for me.
Best Wishes,
Ms.Idris
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Anti-fraud resources:
